Manchester City will off-load the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and add Florian Wirtz as the Cityzens look to rebuild after a concerning 2024/25 campaign.
That’s according to our AI Supercomputer, which predicted Manchester City’s activity in the future transfer windows.
Pep Guardiola’s side have endured a nightmare start to the Premier League season and are conceding the most goals per game under the Spaniard.
After 16 matches in England’s top-flight, the champions are nine points behind table-topping Liverpool and are set to end their run of four straight titles.
For the first time in almost a decade, Manchester City are not the favourites to win the Premier League on UK betting sites.
With that said, we asked our AI Supercomputer to predict who could leave the club and who could be on their way to the Etihad over the coming years.
AI Predicts Manchester City Rebuild: Signings
January Transfer Window 2025
- Martin Zubimendi joins from Real Sociedad
Summer Transfer Window 2025
- Bart Verbruggen joins from Brighton
- Florian Wirtz joins from Bayer Leverkusen
- Pedro Porro joins from Manchester City
January Transfer Window 2026
- Nuno Mendes joins from PSG
Summer Transfer Window 2026
- Rafael Leao joins from AC Milan
- Warren Zaire-Emery joins from PSG
- Alessandro Bastoni joins from Inter
City’s first piece of business will be to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, as they continue to search for a like-for-like replacement for the injured Rodri.
The Spanish midfielder looked set to join Liverpool at the start of the season but appeared to decline a deal and is now heavily linked with a move to the Etihad.
AI believes this deal will be City’s only addition in January, before Guardiola makes some superstar signings in the summer window.
Florian Wirtz will be their marquee signing ahead of the 2025/2026 campaign, with the German continuing to impress for Bayer Leverkusen and his national side.
City will bolster their squad with two more additions, signing Bart Verbuggen and Pedro Porro, highlighting a focus on strengthening the defence.
Verbruggen has been a revelation at Brighton and at just 22-years-old the Dutchman would be a long-term replacement for Ederson.
Fast-forward tom 2026 and City are set to make some huge changes to their squad – signing Nuno Mendes from PSG in January.
The Portuguese defender is out of contract in June 2026 and the AI beleives Guardiola will agree a deal with the PSG star in January to join in the following summer.
City will then add a trio of the world’s best prospects in the 2026 summer window, adding Rafael Leao, Warren Zaire-Emery and Alessandro Bastoni.
AI Predicts Manchester City Rebuild: Sales
January Transfer Window 2025
- No Sales
Summer Transfer Window 2025
- Ederson joins Al Nassr
- Ilkay Gundogan joins Bayer Leverkusen
- Kevin De Bruyne joins Bayern Munich
- Kyle Walker joins Inter Miami
January Transfer Window 2026
- Stefan Ortega joins Fiorentina
Summer Transfer Window 2026
- Bernardo Silva joins Barcelona
- Jack Grealish joins Aston Villa
- Mateo Kovacic joins Sevilla
- John Stones joins PSG
To add all of the players that have been mentioned, City will need to off-load a host of players in the coming transfer windows.
The champions are not set to sell any players in January but will see some huge exits in the 2025 summer window, as Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker all move elsewhere.
Ederson has been the number one at the Etihad since 2017, winning six Premier Leagues, four League Cups, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
The Brazilian has been playing understudy to Stefan Ortega for large parts of this season and has been linked with a move away.
Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker have been criticised for their performances this year and with both players being 34-years-old it may be time for a new challenge.
Kevin De Bruyne’s contract is set to expire in June 2025 and with a new deal yet to be agreed, it may bring an end to the Belgian’s time in England.
Stefan Ortega will leave in January 2026 according to the AI in hopes of conisistent first-team football while Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic depart in the following summer.
Interestingly, our AI Supercomputer beleives Jack Grealish will return to Aston Villa after leaving the Villains for £100 million in 2021.
AI Predicts Manchester City’s Starting XI for 2026/27 Season
Man City XI: Verbruggen; Porro, Dias, Bastoni, Mendes; Rodri, Zubimendi; Foden, Wirtz, Leao; Haaland
AI Predicts Manchester City Rebuild
“Manchester City embarked on a transformative rebuild between 2025 and 2026, balancing major departures with high-profile signings to reshape their squad. The overhaul aimed to maintain the club’s dominance while adapting to the departures of key veterans.
“In January 2025, City secured the versatile Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to bolster their midfield. The summer brought sweeping changes as several club legends departed. Ederson moved to Al Nassr, Ilkay Gündogan returned to Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, and Kevin De Bruyne joined Al Hilal. Kyle Walker also left for Inter Miami, marking the end of an era.
“To compensate, City recruited Bart Verbruggen from Brighton as a long-term goalkeeping option, Florian Wirtz as a creative midfield talent, and Pedro Porro for defensive depth. These signings highlighted the club’s strategy of blending youth with experience to ensure continuity.
“The rebuild accelerated in 2026. January saw Nuno Mendes arrive from PSG, injecting pace and energy into the left flank. In the summer, further marquee signings followed: Rafael Leão brought attacking flair from AC Milan, Alessandro Bastoni added solidity to the defence from Inter, and Warren Zaire-Emery, a prodigious midfield talent, joined from PSG.
“Meanwhile, Stefan Ortega moved to Fiorentina, Bernardo Silva departed for Barcelona, and Jack Grealish returned to Aston Villa. Mateo Kovačić and John Stones left for Sevilla and PSG, respectively.
“The rebuild reflects a bold shift towards a younger, dynamic squad. Zubimendi and Zaire-Emery offer midfield stability and energy, while Wirtz and Leão provide creativity and firepower. Bastoni and Mendes strengthen the defence, ensuring a balanced team ready to compete at the highest level. The 2025-2026 period marked a new chapter, laying the foundation for sustained success.”
