Moves Manchester City Should and Should Not Make in the Summer Transfer Window

With Manchester City set to reshape their squad this summer, speculation over who is set to arrive is becoming frenzied.

City have underwhelmed this season, and with the core of their squad seemingly coming to the end of their cycle, fresh impetus is needed.

Manuel Pellegrini’s job appears secure, and together with Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director, he will have a wish list of players he wants the club to attract.

Youth and pace are needed, and there’s plenty of it around. Alongside the introduction of some academy players, next season’s City squad could look rather different.

Here are a few players who could be on City's radar, with a verdict as to whether the team should or should not make a move.

Ross Barkley

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Earlier in the season, Everton’s Ross Barkley was continually linked with a move to the club, as reported by Simon Mullock in the Mirror.

However, Barkley’s form this season has been patchy, at best, and with the unbelievably high price tag placed on him—City were quoted £50 million this summer when they made initial contact— it seems unlikely they will make a move.

VERDICT: Should not

Raheem Sterling

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Buying home-grown players is a priority, not just for City, who will struggle to fulfill the quota next season given some of the expected departures, but for all clubs.

The problem is the premium placed on these players. Raheem Sterling, the Liverpool forward, is one such example. He has genuine world-class potential—the future of English football—yet the Anfield club would very likely attach an astronomical fee to his name.

If City can get him, though, they would be mad not to.

VERDICT: Should

Paul Pogba

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This summer’s most sought-after player is likely to be Juventus star Paul Pogba, who is a midfielder with a superb mix of power, pace and technical ability.

City will face huge competition, but given Yaya Toure’s advancing years, a replacement, at some stage, will be needed. Pogba looks by far the best equipped to replace the Ivorian one day.

VERDICT: Should

Kevin De Bruyne

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Former Chelsea midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, now at Wolfsburg, is another player heavily linked with a move to City, according to Simon Jones writing for the Daily Mail.

De Bruyne’s stats this season are impressive. He’s scored nine league goals and assisted a further 16. He’s established himself as one of the stars of the Bundesliga.

Again, though, the price being quoted is huge. City may well be free from FFP sanctions this summer, but they still need to continue balancing their books to avoid further restrictions in the future. Unless they can get him cheaper, it’s surely a no for now.

VERDICT: Should not

Toby Alderweireld

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One player who is almost certain to move this summer is Toby Alderweireld. The Atletico Madrid defender is currently impressing on loan at Southampton.

Alderweireld is a talented player, able to operate in a number of positions. A centre-back primarily, he can also slot in at right-back and midfield if necessary.

It’s the kind of versatility managers love, and given he is only likely to cost around £10 million, it feels like a sensible move.

VERDICT: Should