Use our rumours form to send us manchester city transfer rumours.
15 Nov 2022 01:19:21
Any potential incomings for Jan ed002? Or is pep more likely to wait til next summer? :)
{Ed002's Note - My understanding that they have no plans for January Hving accepted they will lose out on Rafael Leao. There is a young striker they will look to sign but not for the first team.}
26 Jul 2022 10:34:35
Hey all
Any news on a Man City left back?
Guardiola seems to want Cucurella but the club has a habit of walking away from overpriced options (which this is) - any news/altenatives? And any other incoming/outgoings expected?
{Ed002's Note - David Raum (LWB) only joined last summer but has had an excellent season turning in numerous assists. Borussia Dortmund made an approach to discuss the player in January but were told very firmly that he was not for sale by Hoffenheim. Other clubs, including RBL, Manchester United and Manchester City, have been taking notice and you can expect offers but the player does not want to move to England. He was offered and signed a contract extension in January. RBL will push. Was offered and signed a contract extension in January.
Marc Cucurella (LWB) Manchester City and Chelsea have spoken with his agent and Manchester City have spoken with Brighton who are reluctant to sell and have rejected their initial offer. Manchester City will make an improved offer. Recommended to Spurs by a scout.
Tyrick Mitchell (LB) has become a target for Manchester City. Crystal Palace are not looking to sell.}
Agree0Disagree0
02 Aug 2022 17:55:20
Looks like Cucurella and Raum now off the table - what's your thoughts on other alternatives?
{Ed002's Note - Rayan Ait-Nouri (LWB) Barcelona have been looking to the Premier League for a young LWB and have identified Ait-Nouri and Maatsen as options. If Chelsea lose Alonso and Maatsen, then RAN is on their list of options. PSG have also declared an interest in Ait-Nouri. Manchester City offer a wildcard option if they cannot signe Cucurella.}
With it looking increasing more likely Ake leaving to return to Chelsea (which I understand but he's been a solid 4th choice and is homegrown, so is a loss IMO) do we know who the CB replacement targets are?
Have seen a lot on Ake leaving but not who we would get to replace him? There were links to Pau Torres a while ago but other than that it seems a bit quiet.
I wouldn't mind a more experienced player (30+) who won't permanently take the spot long term so there's still a chance in the near future for someone like Mbete to make the step up, but not sure he's ready to go deep end in an injury crisis just yet.
Cheers,
TheManOfMeat
{Ed002's Note - I will try and find out - the club are certainly aware of a HG problem.}
Agree0Disagree0
11 Jul 2022 10:10:28
Cheers Ed002.
Seen a bit today around Kounde (suprised if he would be happy as 4th choice albeit would look to challenge as a starter) and Gvardiol (I believe Leipzig don’t want to sell) so wouldn’t think they would be the most attainable of targets.
Cheers.
TheManOfMeat
{Ed002's Note - Kounde would want assurances. Gvardiol is not for sale.}
13 Jul 2022 10:13:05
Thanks Ed as always, guessed as much.
The only others I could potentially find were Pau Torres i mentioned first, Salisu or Fofana - not sure if any of these are potentials?
Did a search but couldn’t find anything on them.
Cheers,
TheManOfMeat
{Ed002's Note - Kounde will now be first choice - the problem is he will want to be a starter.}
02 Jun 2022 13:09:58
Do City have interest in Cucarella of Brighton?
{Ed002's Note - Marc Cucurella (LWB) Manchester City and Chelsea have spoken with his agent and MC have submitted an offer to Brighton whereas Chelsea have opted for another solution. Recommended to Spurs by a scout but they have a creative solution in mind to resolve their LWB issue.}
Rumours today that Man City interested in Kalvin Phillips: any truth to this please?
As a CDM woukd he be a replacement or back up for Rodri?
Many thanks as always!
{Ed002's Note - Kalvin Phillips (DM) a financially more viable option to Declan Rice and Manchester United have enquired in the past and may maintain that interest when a new manager arrives in the summer. An ex-PL player acting as a scout for Real Madrid has watched the player on more than one occasion. Manchester City see as an option to replace Fernandinho. West Ham enquired and made a tentative offer to no avail in January. Aston Villa have enquired - it seems very unlikely. An enquiry from Newcastle may be followed up but I suspect the player would not be keen. Whilst he has the stupid haircut that Liverpool look for in recruits, I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool or Arsenal to Leeds at this time. Leeds will resist selling and look for a new contract. I expect a new contract will be agreed but he won't stay at Leeds forever.
Agree0Disagree0
18 May 2022 16:07:04
Wow, thanks for the really quick response Ed002, really appreciated! Really kind of you to give up your time to reply.
10 May 2022 17:53:17
Visitor from the Liverpool page in peace.
Firstly, think you guys will win every game quite easily now, and the title will be yours. Sucks, but City were just too far ahead for Liverpool to catch.
Second, I think Haaland will be a great signing for City, but it will mean they will have to change how they play a little. Will be interesting to see how quickly they can adapt to that.
Thirdly, one for Ed002 probably. Can you explain how "release clauses" work in light of the news about the Haaland fee? I know there are restrictions on how they operate in principle but I've never fully understood when they are and when they aren't enforceable etc.
All the best everyone!
{Ed002's Note - He had a termination clause which is different - and it was essential in agreeing a move to Borussia Dortmund.
Perhaps a reminder about transfer related clauses would be apt. This is a horribly complex area not least because they are written under individual national laws. They cause a great deal of misunderstanding with football supporters and the media alike.
The "buy out clause" is legally binding between a club and a player. The "buy out" is effectively what it says - a means for the player to buy himself out of the contract. As an example, if a player wishes to buy himself out of a contract, he pays the applicable FA (on behalf of the club) the amount of the "buy out" clause effectively becoming a free agent. The problem is that in most cases a player would need to obtain that money from the buying club - and this is fraught with issues regarding "tapping up" and, of course, taxation (as it can be seen as income for the player and would therefore be subject to income tax). There was a test case about the taxation issue in Spain several years ago which is why they have an exception. All players in Spain and Portugal have a clause that allows the player to buy himself out of his contract without any tax implications - the tax implications passing to the buying club - typically at 50% on top of the value of the clause for the higher profile players. This was to address a ruling from around 30 years ago allowing players a way out of their contracts. The other notable point about Spain and Portugal is that the clauses, if invoked by a non-Iberian club, need to be paid in full by the player (there are local rules that stop tax being due) but by needing to put up 100% of the money upfront would end many transfers then and there. It works differently in Iberia to elsewhere as the tax implications do not make such clauses viable in other countries, so when Arsenal purchased Thomas Party they had to provide the money to him and then he had to immediately transfer those funds to the Spanish FA – leaving Arsenal to subsequently pay the tax due on the transfer by due date. All players in Iberia must have a figure set and agreed with the club. So "buy out" clauses are very rare elsewhere. Related to this is the Webster Ruling that allows players under certain conditions to break contracts after a certain period of time (three years under 28 and two years after being 28) by paying the club the amount the club would pay the player over the remaining length of the contract. It is very rarely invoked and could easily result in a protracted legal case.
A "release clause" is far more common in that it gives a figure that the club would accept for the sale of a player to another club - but it is not legally binding except where both parties (clubs) are in the same country (for the sake of argument I should say that football Spain and Portugal count as the same country as do England and Wales) for legal purposes. These are normally unreasonably high figures (Messi at Barcelona has a €700M release clause for example) introduced to act as a deterrent for hostile bids - and even then the club could easily block a move. However, if a club in the same country does agree to match a release clause then the selling club would be obliged to ask the player if he is interested - there is no obligation on the player to make a move. For interested clubs outside of the country, the selling club may use it as a guide but are under obligation to accept a bid and may demand a higher figure – as was the case when Roberto Firmino moved from Hoffenheim to Liverpool for more than his “release clause”.
There is then the becoming popular "termination clause" which is binding between the player and the club and if met would see an offer from anywhere accepted and the player given the opportunity to make a call on a move. This overcomes the issues associated with "buy out" clauses as the money would be paid by one club to another and about the legal proximity of the buying side.
And finally, "buy back clauses". The most common way is that for a fixed period, typically two or three years, the selling club will have the opportunity to match any offer made (if the player is to be sold) by another club and buy back the player if he agrees. Rarely, clubs have the opportunity to buy a player back at a fixed price when a player is put up for sale of a two or three year period (this is what Chelsea used with a couple of players although they later negotiated a deal which gave them a percentage of the sale, as was the case with Bertrand Traoré moving from Lyon to Aston Villa). Finally there is a very uncommon variant of this where by the club have the opportunity to buy back the player at a fixed fee in year one, a different fixed fee in year two and another different fixed fee in year three if put up for sale. This was used by Barcelona when Oriol Romeu was sold to Chelsea.}
Agree0Disagree0
10 May 2022 19:58:18
Ed is there any clause in this contract? I heard madrid backed out because they didn't want to agree to a clause. Might just be bs from the media
{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of the terms being fully agreed yet.}
10 May 2022 20:22:07
Thanks for the quick reply Ed
10 May 2022 20:57:32
Cheers for the detailed response Ed002, very informative.
04 May 2022 22:16:19
Good evening ED, is it possible when time allows to know who is interested in Raheem Sterling? Thank you.
{Ed002's Note - Raheem Sterling (W) At the right price his sale will help the start of a rebuild. He will be available for perhaps £50M. Could be one of the players offered to Spurs for Kane if Haaland doesn't sign or to Barcelona if any part exchange is possible - but I suspect their interest was fleeting. Arsenal may offer an option as a Pepe replacement. Milan would want to offer a player in exchange and have other priorities. Else he will have to settle for a new contract or run the final year of his down.}
With Alvarez and potentially Haaland (albeit I'll take that with a pinch of salt until he's in a city shirt) looking to come in, do you know who the potential outs could be in the summer to make space in the squad?
Not sure if there are going to be any shuffles in defence or midfield either with Fernandinho leaving?
Cheers,
TheManOfMeat
{Ed002's Note - In terms of departures it should also be remembered that Aguero and Ferran Torres have gone without direct replacements. I would expect something like this:
Scott Carson (G) Out of contract
Arijanet Muric (G) Another loan.
Nathan Ake (CB) Time to move on with the player expressing an interest in a return to London - West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace may offer solutions. A better option my be found in Milan.
Fernandinho (DM) Will leave Manchester City in the summer as a Free Agent, with Atletico Mineiro, Corinthians, Botafogo and Flamengo all interested.
Bernardo Silva (AM) The player would like to move on with interest from Atletico. Barcelona have asked if MC would be interested in a player exchange. Milan have lost out on their first option and will look to a deal at the right price. PSG and Juventus has a declared interest. Manchester City don't want to sell and will offer a new contract.
Riyad Mahrez (RW) Time has come to move on. Agent is offering him to numerous high-end clubs. Manchester City may look to extend his contract to save money. PSG need a Di Maria replacement and he is on the list. Otherwise perhaps hard to sell.
Raheem Sterling (W) At the right price his sale will help the start of a rebuild. He will be available for perhaps £50M. Could be one of the players offered to Spurs for Kane if Haaland doesn't sign or Barcelona if any part exchange is possible. Arsenal may offer an option as a Pepe replacement. Milan would want to offer a player in exchange. Else he will have to settle for a new contract or run the final year of his down.
Jayden Braaf (LW) is available and being offered around. No firm interest that I am aware of and those clubs showing a vague interest are unattractive to the player. I assume the club are not convinced he can step up. Perhaps another loan.
Nahuel Bustos (S) On loan at Girona but River Plate offer an option.
Liam Delap (S) German sides will continue to try and cherry-pick the best of the best young British players after their success with players like Sancho, Bellingham and Musiala. Delap is on the list for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund as well as RBS. Manchester City will refuse a sale but may offer a loan.
14 Mar 2022 22:14:59
Hi Ed2. Are you able to share information on City's attacking targets for this summer?
{Ed002's Note -
Florian Wirtz (AM) Interest could return in 2023 but I would scratch him..
Joao Felix (AM/F) Manchester City see him and another as a potential Aguero replacement rather than recruiting a Kane or Martinez type striker. Discussions have been held.
Antony (W) There are more likely destinations.
Mikel Oyarzabal (LW/F) upgrade on Sterling - sustained interest from the coach at Manchester City. Very unlikely.
Vinicius Junior (LW) Now staying at RM.
Kylian Mbappe (RW/S/F) is heading elsewhere.
Julian Alvarez (S/RW/F) has already agreed to join in the summer.
Lautaro Martinez (S) First choice but not available.
With Chelsea out of the picture for now, Manchester City will push Barcelons and Real Madrid for Erling Braut Haaland (S).
Harry Kane (S) Manchester City will be back if the cannot signed either of their two preferred choices but he could head elsewhere.
Emre Tezgel (S) Kiddie who is being looked at by several sides.
Alexander Isak (S) Probably fourth in terms of preference.
Christopher Nkunku (AM), Xavi Simons (AM), Yeremy Pino (RW/LW/AM), Patrik Schick (S), Victor Osimhen (S) and Amine Gouiri (S) - Manchester City Interest has gone.}
Agree0Disagree0
15 Mar 2022 19:48:32
Thanks Ed2. With City playing without a recognised striker, I think Felix would be a good signing for them. Now I could be wrong on this but I remember Real Madrid making press statements that they would like and have the financial means to sign both Mbappe and Haaland in one transfer window. Is it your understanding that Real Madrid is Haaland’s preferred destination?
{Ed002's Note - Real Madrid is not the preferred destination - perhaps number three on the list.}
15 Mar 2022 21:50:52
Lastly, as you have already shared enough so don’t mind if you shoot me down on this. If giving away the club is too much are you able to say the country he would prefer to be playing in? I can only think of Bundesliga with Bayern. La Liga with Barcelona so he is the main man or Premier League with either City or Chelsea.
{Ed002's Note - Preference is for Barcelona but they need to try and find the right balance by signing him and perhaps four Free Agents. Manchester City would be likely next on the list but it would not be a career move and the player and his agent may want a wait out after perhaps two or three years. Real Madrid will focus on Mbappe and old like both but have problems elsewhere in the squad which will take money to fix. Bayern remain an option. Chelsea have held talks on a number of occasions but for now can be discounted.}
16 Mar 2022 09:55:17
Ed2. I have ran out of superlatives for you in regards to your knowledge on all things relating to football and finance. So I will simply end by say thank you and much appreciated.
Any news on Man City targets in the January window with Augero and Torres gone?
Still waiting on Delap being given a 1st team chance
{Ed002's Note - I cannot sensibly predict the timings of transfers but Manchester City have looked at numerous players but many are not going to be available in January. I would expect the summer to be busier. Torres had not started many games so an immediate replacement may not be needed. There are a number of strikers they have looked at and it is not out of the question they will make an offer for one. There is interest in Delap from Germany.}
With Kane confirmed to be staying with Spurs (until at least next summer) do we know what options City have left to plug the striker hole we have?
Rumours of Ronaldo you wouldn't think of being of any merit in, Haaland (Raiolas) ridiculous rumoured demands stopping any chance there and Mbappe looking to get his heart set move to Madrid - do city have any other options than to go another window without a main striker?
08 Aug 2021 12:38:08
Hi Eds, any update on where City stand with respect to Kane? Is 120m pounds the most they are willing to pay?
Also, any truth to players being involved in the offers? There are talks of Bernardo and Laporte. Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Manchester City will look to offer players as part of the transfer if they can. Spurs would like to get interest from elsewhere as well if he is to be sold.}
03 Aug 2021 10:43:22
Hi Eds, it seems City are trying to sign both Kane and Grealish in this window for some significant amounts if we are to take any indications from the tabloids. Just wondering, if the spending is going to big as suggested, ie well over 200m for the 2 and considering the wages of these 2 players will definitely be significantly higher than what they are on now, will the team risk tangling with UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations again?
Is there something city should do that will help avoid any issues with these regulations or this wouldn't be a problem?
{Ed002's Note - Manchester City won't have any FFP issues with spending on transfer fees or wages. They have players to be sold or exchanged and they will have made significant savings in wages with Aguero and others departing.}
Agree0Disagree0
03 Aug 2021 12:21:31
Thanks for the insightful reply Ed.
13 Jul 2021 09:51:50
Hi Ed002. Few rumours floating around that City are in advanced negotiations with Aston Villa for Grealish.
Some going as far as to say that a deal has been agreed (no fee quoted but just that the deal is done) . Do you know anything about this or are the claims premature?
Thanks!
{Ed002's Note - Jack Grealish (LW/LM/AM) regardless of being a little Johnny Jerkoff when not on the pitch, there is no doubt Grealish is a very good player and selling him would provide the funds to help the club considerably. Manchester City are certainly keen on the player although Aston Villa don't want to sell and will ask £100M.}
Agree0Disagree0
13 Jul 2021 13:41:11
Are City happy to pay that price?
{Ed002's Note - They will look for a lower fee if they can - or even better offer a player in any deal.}
13 Jul 2021 14:12:31
Thanks for the info as always.