How Manchester City could line-up next season | OneFootball

Manchester City are moving quick to secure key signings before the Club World Cup kicks off on June 14. Pep Guardiola and his recruitment team have identified three key areas that need strengthening ahead of the 2025/26 season, and they’re hoping to complete at least two deals in the coming days.

One of those is Rayan Aït-Nouri. Manchester City and Wolves are negotiating the final details and an agreement is expected to be imminent. Last season’s third-placed team are expected to pay around £35m to sign the Algerian, who significantly strengthens the team at left-back. The 24-year-old scored four goals and provided seven assists in 37 Premier League games for Wolves last season. His arrival would also allow Josko Gvardiol to shift into central defence alongside Ruben Dias.

In midfield, Manchester City have the monumental task of replacing club icon Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian leaves the club upon the expiry of his contract after 422 games which resulted in 108 goals and 177 assists across all competitions. Impossible to find a like-for-like replacement, the club have identified Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutchman is an engine room in midfield and can play as the 6, 8 or 10. City have reached a €55m agreement with Milan to sign Reijnders, which should be completed before the Club World Cup.

Finally, City want to strengthen their attack. Morgan Gibbs-White remains an option but the Premier League club are pushing hard to sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki. As reported via our colleagues at Get French Football News, Manchester City are in pole position to sign the France international after lodging a reported €22.5m bid. As of now, the Ligue 1 side have no intention of accepting their offer, but City are determined to get their man.

It’s likely that Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland will start in advanced roles, with Jeremy Doku making up a three-man attack. Where Cherki operates is open. The 21-year-old operated primarily on the right-wing for Lyon last season but with Marmoush pushing up to support Haaland, Cherki could drift freely into the half-spaces.

Image via Line-up Builder

With these three signings, Manchester City go into the 2025/26 season in an excellent position.

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