Manchester City have been a force in the transfer market in recent years, buying top players to help with their Premier League and Champions League efforts.
But on transfer deadline day this year, they were all about moving players on rather than bringing them in. With four players leaving the club on loan, what does it mean for the Citizens?
Out: Joe Hart – In: Claudio Bravo
Whoever thought Pep Guardiola’s most controversial decision would revolve around goalkeeping, we take our hat off to you. Images of Joe Hart and Guardiola in conversation did not bode well for the two-time Premier League champion, who moved to Torino on loan on the last day of the transfer window.
It’s safe to say none of us saw that coming six months ago, but after a poor Euro 2016 campaign, Pep clearly wasn’t impressed. Replacing him is Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, joining for around £15 million and presumably nudging Willy Caballero back onto the bench. It will probably become clear quite quickly whether this has paid off for Guardiola.
Out: Eliaquim Mangala – In: John Stones
After 48 Premier League appearances in two seasons at Manchester City, unfortunately it just never really happened for Mangala. The centre-back failed to command a place in the starting XI, and as such he moved on to pastures new, going to Valencia on loan on transfer deadline day.
Replacing him? John Stones for around £47.5 million. Most Manchester City fans seem pleased with the move, with Stones’ ball-playing ability and Pep Guardiola’s coaching style a match made in heaven.
Out: Samir Nasri – In: Leroy Sane
After eight years in England, Samir Nasri has called time on his career in the Premier League it seems, moving out to Sevilla on loan on the last day August having won two Premier League titles, a League Cup and a Community Shield. Nasri never quite recaptured his mercurial form from his Arsenal days, but he showed flashes of it at the Etihad and was certainly no failure.
Replacing him on the wing is walking Youtube highlights video, and promising talent, Leroy Sane. Coming from Schalke with a big reputation, the attacking midfielder is just 20 years old, has already broken into an excellent Germany side, and has more balance than a circus performer.
Out: Wilfried Bony – In: nobody
Wilfried Bony has been loaned to Stoke, and it seems just about everybody is relieved by the news. Managing just a handful of goals during his time with City, Bony never looked like edging Sergio Aguero out of the team, and with his transfer deadline day loan to the Britannia Stadium he can concentrate on being the main man once again.
City haven’t brought anyone in who will replace Bony as such, but with Sergio Aguero miles ahead of him in the pecking order, and Kelechi Iheanacho impressing last season, with the best will in the world, Bony won’t be missed at the Etihad Stadium.
