End of an era at Man City as West Ham prepare double raid and Barcelona accelerate moves for £80m pair
Four Man City stars who’ve won 10 Premier League titles between them are being tipped to depart this summer, and one deal in particular has been labelled ‘advanced’.
Pep Guardiola’s side look on course to lift yet another Premier League title this term. However, the starting eleven Man City are doing it with looks very different to the one that began the campaign.
Indeed, Kyle Walker began the season as first-choice right-back, while Joao Cancelo was an automatic pick at left-back.
A switch to a 3-2-4-1 formation has cast doubt on Walker’s future, with Guardiola himself admitting the 32-year-old has no natural place in the system.
Cancelo, meanwhile, was surprisingly loaned out to Bayern Munich in January. Bayern have an option to buy for €70m, though look highly unlikely to trigger it.
As such, Cancelo, as well as Walker and imminent free agent Ilkay Gundogan could all be on the move at season’s end. Per reports, midfield outcast Kalvin Phillips is attracting interest too.
Firstly, Football Espana (who cite Spanish outlet Sport) tweeted a Gundogan move to Barcelona is ‘advanced’.
The German, 32, will see his contract expire this summer. TEAMtalk previously learned Gundogan wasn’t rushing into a decision out of respect for City who have tabled an offer to extend his stay.
However, with the campaign nearing its conclusion the news from Spain suggests a free agent switch to Barcelona is ramping up.
Gundogan – who was a £20m signing back 2016 – could be joined at the Camp Nou by a familiar face in the form of Cancelo.
Sport (via Goal) report Cancelo’s agent has travelled to Spain to ‘discuss a future move’ to Barcelona.
Manager Xavi is deemed to be ‘growing increasingly interested’ in Cancelo who was a two-time selection in the PFA team of the season over the past two years. The Portuguese has more than justified his £60m transfer fee in a City shirt, though fell dramatically out of favour under Guardiola.
Given Barca’s well-documented financial troubles, it’s noted a loan would be the only avenue open to the club. Whether City would greenlight another loan exit remains to be seen.
West Ham hunting Walker, Phillips
Elsewhere, 90min bring news of West Ham mobilising for Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips.
The Hammers look destined to lose Declan Rice this summer and his England teammate Phillips is being eyed as a worthy replacement.
Phillips has endured a torrid maiden campaign at the Etihad since arriving from Leeds Utd in a £42m deal. He’s proved unable to displace the imperious Rodri and injuries and fitness issues have limited him to just 103 minutes of EPL action.
talkSPORT claimed Phillips is determined to stay and fight for his place, though 90min suggest West Ham will at least ask the question and intend to offer a way out.
David Moyes’ side have also ‘made noises about City full-back Kyle Walker’, per the report.
Manuel Akanji is Guardiola’s preferred option on the right side of his back three when all options are available. In the event Guardiola reverts to a back four in the future, the highly promising Rico Lewis would be a contender to oust Walker anyway.
The 32-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2024, making the next window the ideal time to cash in if a new deal isn’t likely.
90min acknowledge Walker’s high salary would make a deal complicated for his suitors who aside from West Ham, also includes Aston Villa and his boyhood club Sheffield United.
