Manchester City plotting five summer signings with Elliot Anderson set to lead rebuild | OneFootball

Manchester City are planning a significant summer overhaul and are targeting as many as five new signings ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, as per a new report.

Anderson has been City’s primary midfield target since January, with a club record deal to bring the 23-year-old to the Etihad Stadium from Nottingham Forest agreed and an official announcement pending.

The England international is set to undergo his medical in New York City, with Enzo Maresca expected to be formally confirmed as the new Manchester City manager imminently – following May’s notable departure of Pep Guardiola.

However, a new report has indicated that Anderson will not be the only new face through the door at the Etihad Stadium this summer as director of football Hugo Viana leads the Blues into a new era – following a glorious, trophy-laden decade under Guardiola.

Five targets, five positions & the Tonali subplot

As reported by journalist Dean Jones, a second proven central midfielder is expected to follow Anderson to the Etihad Stadium this summer as Bernardo Silva also prepares to join Real Madrid on a free transfer on July 1.

Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United is among the names City have studied closely, though Tottenham are understood to be leading the pursuit of the Italy international.

At full-back, Malo Gusto of Chelsea is understood to be firmly on City’s radar. The Frenchman is viewed as one of several options capable of adding quality and energy to the defensive unit under Maresca, though he is not believed to be a priority target at present.

Beyond midfield and defence, City are also in the market for a new attacker to add depth and versatility in the final third. A goalkeeper is similarly expected to arrive as part of wider squad planning ahead of the new season.

The scale of City’s activity underlines just how significant a rebuild Viana is overseeing at the Etihad Stadium this summer, with the Blues also facing an inevitable array of exits after Guardiola’s decision to leave the club.

What does a five-signing summer mean for Manchester City?

City’s recruitment approach under Viana has been defined by patience and precision rather than volume. Five signings in a single window would represent a departure from that model and a clear acknowledgement of the scale of the rebuild required.

The departure of Guardiola leaves Maresca inheriting a squad in need of fresh impetus. Anderson addresses the most urgent gap in midfield. The four further additions being planned would spread that investment across every area of the pitch.

Whether all five arrivals are completed before the window closes remains to be seen. But the ambition behind City’s summer planning is now clear – and Anderson, it appears, is only the beginning.