Rob Dawson, Correspondent
Manchester City are prepared to head into next season with the same squad which won a record fourth consecutive Premier League title and may not make a major summer signing unless a player asks to leave, a source has told ESPN.
With doubts about the futures of a number of key players including Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Éderson, City bosses are keeping an open mind about their summer transfer business.
However, a source has told ESPN that unless a player asks to leave the Etihad Stadium and their valuation is met by another club, it’s possible that Pep Guardiola will start the new campaign with the same squad as last season.
Sources have told ESPN that, so far, De Bruyne, Silva and Ederson have not indicated to the club that they want to leave.
City, according to sources, are looking to secure moves for João Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips this summer after the pair had loan spells at Barcelona and West Ham United last season.
City will consider loan deals but the preference is for permanent transfers. Should they leave, sources have told ESPN that they would not need to be replaced. Everton are one of the clubs interested in Phillips
Sources have told ESPN that City hold an interest in Newcastle‘s Bruno Guimarães with the Brazilian set to be considered if a midfielder — De Bruyne, Silva or Matheus Nunes — asks to leave.
However, sources have told ESPN that City do not value Guimarães at £100 million ($126.7m) — the release clause in his Newcastle contract.
Newcastle want to keep the 26-year-old and any club wishing to trigger the clause has until the end of June.
“Having that [cut-off point] was well planned and structured in the sense that there’s a finish point,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said last month.
“We don’t want a summer of speculation. I don’t think that would be healthy for the player or for us.”