Manchester City enter the summer of 2026 at a real turning point. Hugo Viana’s appointment as sporting director sparked a major overhaul, with several veteran stars leaving the Etihad after a trophyless 2024–25 season. City’s recruitment team is now working to stay ahead of an aggressive market, spotting gaps in the squad and locking in succession plans long before the window even opens. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup likely to inflate player prices, Guardiola‘s side are heading into one of its most important transfer windows in years.
5 Best Summer Signings for Manchester City in the Summer of 2026:
1. Elliot Anderson – Nottingham Forest
Insiders fully expect Anderson to move to City this summer, with a widespread belief in football circles that the Forest midfielder is only going to one place. Guardiola has frequently praised the England international, and the club’s scouting reports suggest he has what it takes to be a pillar of City’s next midfield era. Forest are holding out for roughly £90 million, which is a price tag City seem more than happy to pay.
2. Tino Livramento – Newcastle United
City are reportedly prepared to break the world-record fee for a full-back to land Livramento, and confidence is growing at the Etihad that the defender wants the move. Following Kyle Walker’s departure, City have a massive hole to fill on the right side of the defence, and Livramento’s massive ceiling makes him the ideal long-term solution.
3. Rodrygo – Real Madrid
Rodrygo intends to finish the 2025–26 season at Real Madrid before moving on next summer after the World Cup, and intermediaries have already touched base with Manchester City. While Arsenal are also in the mix, Guardiola is keeping a very close watch on the Brazilian’s situation in Spain. At around £80 million, he’s a steal for a forward who has already proven he can perform on the biggest Champions League stages.
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4. Joao Neves – Paris Saint-Germain
Guardiola has called Neves the perfect signing, and City’s scouts have put together a massive profile on his elite passing and vision. PSG have slapped a huge £140 million price tag on the 21-year-old, but with Rodri getting older, City view this as a necessary investment to future-proof their midfield.
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5. Sandro Tonali – Newcastle United
Recent hints from Tonali’s agent suggest he sees Newcastle as a stepping stone, making a move to a European heavyweight the logical next step. Arsenal and both Manchester clubs are reportedly tracking him closely. City’s interest in the Italian would bring technical quality and proven European experience to a squad that are still desperate to get back to winning titles.
[…] These five summer arrivals can set Etihad on fire – Should Guardiola make summer transfer bids? […]