Here is the final part of the Summer Road Map series, looking at our selected targets for the summer of 2024.

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1. RB - Yan Couto

Age: 21
23/24: 2 goals & 6 assists
Fee: N/A (on loan from MCFC)

Coming off a fantastic season with Girona, Yan Couto would add another tool for Pep at RB. Walker providing a 1v1 specialist and defensive option whilst Couto provides dynamic and aggressive attacking threat at full back.

Offering great pace with overlapping runs, he is agile and able to cut in and run at defenses. Maintaining powerful runs for ninety minutes, something this City side would benefit from in several games.

On loan at Girona from MCFC, this move wouldn’t require any fee and gives us plenty of cover then at either full back position. Ake/Gvardiol on the left and Walker/Couto on the right. Can also cover as a winger.

Second Choice: Jeremie Frimpong (23, Bayer Leverkusen)

The team needs a different option at RB in addition to Kyle Walker rather than replacing him all together, Frimpong and Couto can provide that now and be a long term successor. Release clause in the summer of 40m Euros.

2. RW - Nico Williams

Age: 21
23/24: 3 goals & 6 assists
Fee: £43m release clause

Adept on both wings, playing mainly on the right and developed very quickly across the last couple seasons in La Liga. Has ten caps for the Spain team. Fast and difficult to stop with the ball, giving his team an edge at transitioning from defense to attack. Intelligent in his pressing and excelling in progressive carries.

He would arrive on a reasonable price, a developed skill set that needs some polishing but able to compete for first team minutes under Bernardo Silva at right wing.

Second Choice: Pedro Neto (23, Wolves)
In the middle of a breakthrough season in the premier league, currently on two goals and ten assists in all comps. Buying a premier league player could find City looking elsewhere with the price being rumored above £60m. Fantastic option if City can get a reasonable price.

3. CB - Leny Yoro

Age: 18
23/24: 3 goals
Fee: £50m release clause (rumored)

The potential to be the best young french center back out of an incredibly talented group coming through, time this summer to pick him up before the price tag gets out of hand.

All the physical attributes to become one of the best in the position, composed on the ball and an excellent passing range. Calm and confident on the ball is something needed to play in this City side, more so when involved in our build up beating the press. Yoro excels there.

This current season has seen improvements in aerial and ground duels, getting sharper with his timing and tackles. An excellent prospect to join alongside Gvardiol as the future of this City defense. To develop in that group of defenders across the 24/25 season.

Second Choice: Jarred Branthwaite (21, Everton)
A defender having his best season at Everton, composed on the ball when he gets the moments for a team that doesn’t keep it and strong physical traits. Strength in duels and quick in covering ground. Would be a homegrown player, part of a future defense for City and could be available at a reasonable price given the FFP concerns of Everton this summer.

4. CM - Joao Neves

Age: 19
23/24: 1 goals & 2 assists
Fee: £100m release clause (rumored)

Joao Neves is the next elite midfielder to come through the Benfica Academy and will become a main figure in the Portugal National Team this next decade. The 19 year old that plays like he’s 30, mature in the middle and composed on the ball. Athletic, nimble and determined to win every duel. With his close control and agility he can bring the ball out from the back, passing through opposition press with ease.

Helping to dictate the tempo of games with a lot of touches and carries progressing the ball. He ranks third for most successful tackles (2.4) and duels won (9.6) per 90 in the Portuguese league. He can be the long term replacement to Rodri, cover for him in the short term and develop into a more well rounded player alongside him, with Rodri becoming more of a box to box threat this season.

Second Choice: Alan Varela (22, FC Porto)
The Argentine made the switch last summer to Portugal for just over eight million euros and wouldn’t be much more than £30m for City to buy in the summer (rumored price). Adept as a DM and CM, Varela is able to fire long passes from deep, progressive passes to wingers and take the ball comfortably under pressure in front of the back line.

5. Transfers IN & OUT

Please note these fees are based on rumored and reported valuations, this is a hypothetical example.

Players OUT 

• Kalvin Phillips - West Ham (£40m)

• Tommy Doyle - Wolves (£5m)

• Taylor Harwood-Bellis - Southampton (£20m)

• Joao Cancelo - Barcelona (£25m)

• Sergio Gomez - AC Milan (£17m)

+ £107m

Players IN 

• Yan Couto - Return from loan (£0)

• Nico Williams - Athletic Bilbao (£43m)

• Leny Yoro - LOSC Lille (£50m)

• Joao Neves - Benfica (£100m)

-£193m

Net: - 86m

Note that this excludes any other sales of players on loan or from the Academy which would further increase sales.

6. Final Squad 24/25

Here is our final squad for the following season, completing several sales and four incoming players to the first team. Covered for the long term with our defenders, adding in a tremendous talent Leny Yoro.

Depth and competition for right back, Yan Couto will add an amazing option to our squad going forward with both carries, runs and crosses. In midfield, an elite talent arrives in Joao Neves and mature enough to look at home in this City team. Covering Rodri short and long term. Developing his role as a central midfielder and giving us enough depth for an intense season ahead, with a Club World Cup at the end.

Last is to add more options out wide, Nico Williams will be a dangerous threat on the right wing with his pace and dribbling. The temperament and understanding of the game to adapt quickly to our style and system.

What Could Play Out Differently?

• Center back options, City may decide to keep our currently crop and add in Callum Doyle as a depth option. Rather than buy.

• Issa Kabore has done well on loan at Luton, could be considered as a squad fullback option.

• Savio being at Girona and part of the CFG could mean a deal is easier than others for right wing.

• Premier league market is quite volatile summer to summer, could be that Pedro Neto is available for £60m and City look at that. He could also have a price beyond £80 that would turn City away.

• Joshua Kimmich deal could be possible this summer, Cancelo as a make weight option and arrive as our new midfielder. Year left on his contract in the summer.

• Everton could need to make a sale, that would push Jarred Branthwaite to the top of a center back list.

How Does this Impact Summer 2025?

• There has been a lot of talk around City doing a deal for Wirtz or Musiala, looking at a long term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne. That move will surely then come in 2025.

• Bernardo Silva by 2025 would have one year left on his contract, would be the time to sell if City want a fee for him.

• Kyle Walker would have one year left on his contract, could be looking at a sale for a fee unless he spends the last year at City.

• By 2025 we will have a much better idea on how Nunes progresses at City, currently struggling to get consistent minutes despite his ability. He could be moved on that summer or looking like an important player in the side.

• Oscar Bobb should be pushing for a place in the team, Rico Lewis included. This will have an impact on our need for any players.

• Few players including Perrone and Callum Doyle would benefit from an additional year on loan before returning to break into the team in 2025.

• Claudio Echeverri would arrive in 2025.

Make sure you let us know your thoughts on the final squad and who you would include instead!