Manchester City Edging Closer to All-Time Transfer Record as Deadline Approaches

Manchester City has been one of the most active clubs in the Premier League this summer, and they could be on the brink of setting a new transfer record as the summer window draws to a close.

City’s Busy Transfer Window

Pep Guardiola’s squad has seen significant activity, with 10 players sold so far and more potential departures on the horizon before Friday’s deadline. Notable exits include Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Joao Cancelo, Tommy Doyle, and Julian Alvarez, as City edges closer to a record-breaking summer of transactions.

Record-Breaking Sales

So far, only Savinho has been added to the Etihad ranks, while talk of a fifth consecutive Premier League title continues to surround the club. City has won both of their opening games, defeating Chelsea and Ipswich Town.

According to MEN Sport, the sale of Joao Cancelo has been particularly impactful, with City generating nearly £150 million in initial fees and potentially up to £175 million in add-ons.

The biggest financial boost came from Julian Alvarez’s transfer to Atletico Madrid, which was initially valued at £64 million but could rise to £81.5 million. The club also secured substantial fees for Cancelo, Liam Delap, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Potential for a New Record

With the sale of Cancelo, Manchester City’s earnings during this transfer window are set to become the second-highest in the club’s history, surpassing the £173.5 million generated in 2022. They are now just shy of the £179.5 million record set in the summer of 2023, and with only £5 million more in sales needed, they are likely to surpass that figure before the window closes.

Guardiola’s Thoughts on Transfers

“If someone leaves, we are going to talk about that and, of course, until the last day [of the transfer window] we have chances,” Guardiola said in a press conference earlier this summer. “I don’t rule out new players as an option, but I think there is an 85, 90, 95 per cent chance we will have the same squad.”

“I feel comfortable because the quality of human beings we have in the squad is difficult to replace, and the quality is there. But we’ll see. I don’t know in the last moment if someone comes for some players and they leave, we’re going to decide.”