Pep Guardiola may witness the departure of yet another key player from his recent trophy-winning squad at Manchester City before the January transfer window closes.
The Blues have capitalized on the mid-season window, enhancing their attacking and defensive capabilities with the acquisitions of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi for a staggering total of £84 million.
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City remains in pursuit of silverware across four competitions but is working with a limited central defense due to injuries affecting Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, who both sustained issues during a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on January 4. While Dias aims to return for the match against Liverpool next weekend, Gvardiol is expected to be out until April or even May.
After securing only one victory in their last five Premier League matches, questions are being raised about the ability of this revamped Manchester City squad to close a four-point gap behind league leaders Arsenal, who themselves are grappling with a poor start in 2026.
No further signings are anticipated for City this January, as the focus shifts to player departures and loan arrangements. Oscar Bobb has joined Fulham for £27 million to revitalize his career ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Club executives at the Etihad Stadium are also seeking a loan destination for out-of-favor midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who has had a difficult time since his arrival in Manchester. Following unsuccessful loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town in recent seasons, the 30-year-old is in desperate need of a fresh start.
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Nathan Ake has attracted transfer speculation and faces a crucial decision after Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman raised concerns about his limited playing time at City, which could jeopardize his chances of making the FIFA World Cup squad.
Guardiola wishes to keep Ake through the season as Manchester City continues their quest for silverware on multiple fronts. However, John Stones is expected to depart when his contract expires this summer, with Ake also likely to be sold.
After advancing to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray on Wednesday, Guardiola and his team will now focus on their upcoming away match at Tottenham, while club officials navigate the closing days of the January transfer window.
As reported by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, there is a possibility that Stefan Ortega Moreno could depart Manchester City before the transfer deadline on February 2, with ongoing discussions taking place with clubs from England, Spain, and Italy.
Additional reports from WestHamZone indicate that West Ham is interested in Ortega as a potential replacement for Alphonse Areola, as well as an alternative to Tottenham’s Antonin Kinsky.