Manchester City Transfer Targets Confirmed As Pep Guardiola Eyes Summer Rebuild

Manchester City have narrowed down their top transfer targets as the former Premier League champions look to reclaim their crown next season.

It was a dreadful Premier League campaign by Manchester City’s incredibly high standards.

Having won six of the previous seven titles, including four in a row, City had to watch as a resurgent Liverpool took the title at a canter this season.

Pep Guardiola’s side started well, but a torrid midseason slump cost them dearly.

A run of one win in ten games across all competitions saw them briefly fall out of the European qualification places altogether.

City rallied in the new year, eventually recovering to finish third behind champions Liverpool and Arsenal.

But with such high expectations, such a season cannot be allowed to happen again.

For that reason, Guardiola is targeting several new additions to bolster his ranks this summer.

One of his most difficult seasons as manager of Manchester City, one filled with injuries and inconsistency, yet he's led his side to a third place finish in the league and a full transfer window ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pep Guardiola 🤝 pic.twitter.com/qzm4PePgKK

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 25, 2025

Manchester City Transfer Targets Ahead Of Summer Window

A club like Manchester City will always be linked with a huge number of players.

Guardiola is said to be keen on getting any major business done before the Club World Cup.

The new tournament’s timing meant the Premier League announced a major change to the summer transfer window.

It will now open for two weeks from 1 June, before closing again for the tournament.

With the revamped tournament getting underway on 14 June, City will need to move fast.

And with talismanic midfielder Kevin de Bruyne departing, there is a gaping hole through the spine of the team.

For that reason, these two players have been identified as top Manchester City transfer targets.

Tijjani Reijnders

According to reports, City have now entered negotiations for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

Milan have indicated they are looking for a fee in excess of £50 million.

But with City chairman Kaldoon Al-Mubarak itting the club should have been more aggressive in the market last summer, it is believed a deal could be struck.

Reijnders, a 26-year-old Netherlands international, is a hard-working number eight-type midfielder.

A great option to replace Kevin de Bruyne, he had more goals and assists than any other Serie A midfielder last season.

Rayan Cherki

Another top transfer target for Manchester City is Rayan Cherki.

The 21-year-old French youth international has been told he is allowed to leave Lyon, for the right price.

After blocking a move to Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain last summer, Cherki’s club are now looking to cash in.

The player’s contract runs until June 2026, with him not wishing to sign a new deal.

For this reason, Lyon are keen to do a deal in order to protect their financial position.

Able to play as a right winger or central attacking midfielder, Cherki has been excellent this season.

With 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances, he was one of only two non-PSG players in the Ligue 1 team of the season.

Tranfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed City’s interest this week.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “Manchester City made to start initial talks for Rayan Cherki as target for #10 position.”

Manchester City Transfer News Could See Jack Grealish Leave The Etihad

With Reijnders and Cherki looking set to Manchester City, there is potential traffic in the other direction.

England international Jack Grealish’s future remains unclear at the club.

He remains under contract until 2027, but has seen his minutes steadily decline this season.

Manchester City’s record g could therefore be on his way out the door, but his wages might prove an issue.

Reportedly earning around £300,000 per week, there are not many clubs around willing, or capable, of meeting Grealish’s salary demands.

For this reason, a loan move has been suggested. Former club Aston Villa could prove an ideal destination.

With City likely needing to heavily subsidise his wages, regardless of where he goes, it feels likely Grealish will depart in order to find minutes.