Skip to content

Premier League transfer window: Who should Manchester City sign?

City earned 98 points on their way to a consecutive Premier League title so what can we expect the champions to do this summer?

For selection dilemmas feature

Pep Guardiola is targeting even more improvement from Manchester City next season after winning back-to-back Premier league titles, but which signings could strengthen this team?

Finding ways to improve this summer won't be easy.

But Man City are bound to try...

The manager's view

Guardiola on City's transfer plans: "We are going to sit with Txiki with Ferran and decide what is the best. Already three years together with the same people, last year just came Riyad Mahrez, I am happy for his incredible goal.

"After we are going to decide what the team needs and everybody needs to still be consistent. The way we attack right now with 10 players in the box I have the feeling every day we do it better, better."

Guardiola on being even stronger next season: "We have to make the right decisions for next season to come back stronger, because Liverpool will maintain it and the other ones will be better, United must come back, Chelsea one more year with Sarri will be better, Tottenham we have seen in the Champions League and when Arsenal do what they have to do they will be there too.

"We accept the challenge and I promise you we'll come back and we'll be stronger next season."

Also See:

What we know - The Sky Sports News insight

Ben Ransom: "It promises to be a big summer for Manchester City with at least two arrivals expected, and potentially more depending upon the number of players to leave.

"A holding midfielder is an absolute must - and Atletico Madrid's Rodri is of particular interest, especially given his relatively affordable £60m release clause. Atletico team-mate Saul Niguez may prove out of reach with his reported release clause of £130m, so Lyon's Tanguy Ndombele is a more realistic alternative.

"City are also in the market for an attacking player, and it's no surprise to learn they've been closely monitoring Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix.

"Despite Benjamin Mendy's continuing injury problems, City are not interested in signing another left-back this summer, so defensive recruitment could focus on another central defender instead.

"Vincent Kompany's future remains uncertain, although Guardiola is optimistic he will sign a new contract to stay for another season. Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala appear likely to leave in search of more regular football - so that would free up both a space in the squad and also the wages for another centre-back. Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt has been mentioned as a player of interest to City, however Barcelona's reported interest may scupper their chances of signing him.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Shaun Goater would be amazed if Vincent Kompany didn't stay at Manchester City next season as he still has plenty to offer

"Ilkay Gundogan is out of contract next summer and has publicly suggested he may leave in search of a new challenge. Given his importance during the latter part of the season, stepping in to replace Fernandinho when required and also playing further forward, he would need to be replaced in addition to the holding midfield targets.

"City might have proved to be the best team in England once again, but Pep Guardiola knows standing still is going backwards. This summer has the feel of being a crucial one as looks to refresh and rebuild his squad for the challenges to come."

Transfer Centre
Transfer Centre

Stay up-to-date with all the latest transfer news

The pundit's verdict

Matt Le Tissier: "The amazing thing about city is that Kevin De Bruyne has not started much this season and Fernandinho has had his problems too, yet they have still got 98 points. Fernandinho is 34 so City will be thinking of replacing him but he has still got another season left in him.

"If you are going to pick holes then perhaps one centre-back is needed. Vincent Kompany could be a squad player next campaign and it doesn't seem like Pep Guardiola totally trusts John Stones yet.

"They're hoping that Benjamin Mendy will come to the fort next season, spending the type of money on him that they have. They should stick with him and then they always have Danilo that can cover and obviously Oleksandr Zinchenko too so I think they are well covered all in all."

What the stats say

Manchester City may have only finished a point above Liverpool but the stats underline why they were worthy title winners. Guardiola's side rank top for home wins, away wins, goals, shots and passes.

Pep Guardiola's stats for Manchester City

They had the highest share of possession and even faced the fewest shots.

City followed up last season's record-breaking 100-point haul with another extraordinary total. They have now registered the two highest totals in Premier League history in successive seasons, with Liverpool finishing empty-handed on 97 points.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gary Neville believes the current Manchester City side is the best team ever assembled in the Premier League

Before last season, no team had recorded more points than Chelsea's 95 under Jose Mourinho in 2004/05.

How do you better that? Guardiola is already planning for next season with a report in the Daily Mail suggesting the Spaniard is targeting as many as four new faces to strengthen his title winners.

Go figure: Man City's title win in stats
Go figure: Man City's title win in stats

Manchester City beat Liverpool to the Premier League title but what are the key statistics behind their triumph?

Which positions are Manchester City targeting?

Cover at right-back, a centre-back, and a holding central-midfielder with the potential to be Fernandinho's successor.

Read on: The summer transfer plan series continues...

Insight: Who should Liverpool sign?
Insight: Who should Manchester City sign?
Insight: Who should Manchester United sign?
Insight: Who should Newcastle sign?
Insight: Who should Norwich sign?
Insight: Who should Sheffield United sign?

Rank these players Manchester City have been linked with

Sky Sports Racing Selector
Sky Sports Racing Selector

Select 7 winners for your chance to win £1,000