Mercato City, transfers Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Walker

The party atmosphere in Manchester hasn’t died down yet: Monday’s treble parade brought more than 100,000 City fans to the streets of the city. But the reality of the market immediately knocked on the door of the champions of all, who on 6 August when they face Arsenal at Wembley in the Community Shield, the first trophy of the new season, may no longer have three treble heroes in their squad: Ilkay Gündogan , Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker.

walker

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The farewell of the 33-year-old defender, essential to stop Vinicus in the Champions League semifinal with Real, is the news of the last few hours. Walker ended up on Bayern Munich’s radar, which Thomas Tuchel is trying to reshape, after realizing that his playing time next season will be reduced and not having digested the exclusion from the Champions League final. As with all disgruntled players, Guardiola and City will not oppose the transfer. Interests from Sheffield United and Saudi Arabia are also on the defender’s plate, but Bayern offer him the same European showcase that Walker had City and are looking for a replacement on the right for Benjamin Pavard. The highlight of Walker’s season was the semi-final with Real, but his 2022-23 overall was with more shadows than lights, all concentrated in the season finale in which he regained his starting position lost when Guardiola had decided to switch to a 3-2-4-1 formation, considering him unsuitable to be an advanced hybrid defender in midfield.

Gundogan

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That of the captain who lifted the three treble trophies would be the most painful farewell. Gündogan was the first signing of the Guardiola era and with the coach, in addition to the epic, he also shares a landing. In the end of the season, the German reached the level of “Zidane” (as his teammates jokingly call him), making the difference not only with his phosphorus but also with goals, such as the two scored in the derby with Manchester United which earned him the FA Cup The 32-year-old is officially without a contract: renewal negotiations with City never took off, with the champions stuck for one year with an option for a second and the captain convinced he deserved more peace of mind, such as a two-year contract with an option on a third year that Barcelona offers him. Guardiola has long said that he would like Gündogan’s confirmation, but the situation is not taking off. Barça is just waiting for the definitive yes, with Arsenal determined at least to come forward: however Gündogan would prefer not to “betray” the team with which he has won everything and go abroad.

bernardo silva

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Guardiola considers the Portuguese one of the best players he has ever coached, for his tactical intelligence, talent and understanding of the game. Yet Bernardo Silva has long wanted to leave Manchester: despite Jack Grealish’s serenade on the tram leading to the treble parade, this could be the right summer for a farewell. PSG have been winking at him for some time, and the 28-year-old Portuguese is not immune to the call of the French capital. If the player were to officially ask for it, City would not oppose the farewell but would have no intention of selling him off: the request is for 85 million euros.

farewells and reinforcements

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In addition to Walker, Gündogan and Silva, Riyad Mahrez could also leave City in the summer, who could be the next big name to land in Saudi Arabia, and Aymeric Laporte, closed in defense from the explosion of Aké and Akanji. Also for this reason the City is already working to find reinforcements. An agreement with Mateo Kovacic was found some time ago for the midfield, now the one with Chelsea needs to be found, with whom the Croatian has a contract expiring in 2024. For defense, the goal is Josko Gvardiol, for whom Leipzig are asking for 90 million euros. City are at the window for Declan Rice, the midfielder of the English national team that West Ham values ​​120 million euros and who would prefer Arsenal. The treble party with its heroes seems really far away