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The addition of more midfield players at Man City, including Elliot Anderson, is contingent upon player departures.
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Man City is open to receiving offers for Nico Gonzalez as Hugo Viana continues his squad overhaul.
Manchester City’s prospect of acquiring additional midfield talent
beyond Elliot Anderson hinges on the number of outgoing transfers the club can facilitate this summer, according to recent reports.
City has finalized a record-breaking agreement worth £116 million to secure Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. The director of football, Hugo Viana, is collaborating with the new manager, Enzo Maresca, to scout for additional players that can enhance the squad ahead of the 2026-27 season.
However, the extent of City’s summer transfer activities seems closely linked to their ability to offload existing players. The club’s strategy appears to advocate a balanced approach, prioritizing both incoming and outgoing transfers rather than excessive spending on every position.
Manchester City midfielder is actively considering a summer exit following his omission from the FIFA World Cup squad.
Report: Kovacic and Marmoush considering futures as City entertains offers for Nico Gonzalez
As reported by Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan, additional midfield movements at City, aside from Anderson, are contingent on outgoings. Players such as Mateo Kovacic and Omar Marmoush are reportedly evaluating their options for leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Kovacic has been an essential part of City’s midfield since his move from Chelsea in 2023, while Marmoush joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025. The inclination of both players to explore their future elsewhere suggests that City may be receptive to moves that would provide financial liquidity for additional signings.
Gaughan further indicates that City is open to listening to offers for Nico Gonzalez. This situation adds a third name to those whose futures at the Etihad look uncertain as the new season approaches under Maresca.
Implications of Potential Departures for Manchester City’s Summer Rebuild
The openness to consider departures across several midfielders underscores the scale of the overhaul that Viana is managing. The arrival of Anderson has already altered the squad’s dynamics, and Maresca’s desire for a refreshed team further motivates the process of releasing players.
A sale involving Kovacic, Marmoush, or Nico Gonzalez would clear space in the squad and free up resources to reinvest in new targets. City is reportedly linked with as many as five new signings this summer—covering various positions, including midfield, defense, and attack.
Whether any of these three players will leave before the transfer window closes remains to be seen, but it is evident from the Etihad that Maresca’s vision for the squad will be shaped as much by player departures as by incoming transfers.