In the high-stakes world of top-tier football, who should Manchester City sign is not just a matter of filling gaps — it’s about redefining ambition, future-proofing the squad, and matching Guardiola’s evolving tactical vision. At DaoKick, we’re diving deep into City’s current roster, recent transfer activity, and the emerging talent pools to argue which kinds of players would transform City now — and in the seasons ahead.
Assessing City’s Current Squad: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Departures
Before nominating targets, we must understand where the real needs lie.
Strengths
- Defensive fortress: With Gvardiol, Dias, Stones, Khusanov, and Vitor Reis (signed 2025) in the mix, City’s centre-back depth is exceptional.
- Creative presence: The acquisition of Rayan Cherki has injected youthful flair into midfield and attack. He already grabbed headlines by scoring on his Premier League debut.wikipedia.org])
- Wide options: The club secured Rayan Aït-Nouri at left-back to shore up flank balance. edia])
Notable Departures and Gaps
- Exit of Kevin De Bruyne: Losing such a midfield engine and creator leaves a tactical void.
- Aging or inconsistent presence up front: With Haaland entrenched, City still lack a reliable secondary striking threat to diversify attack.
- Goalkeeping transition: While James Trafford was re-signed, the backup role and long-term options behind him remain uncertain.
These observations suggest City should concentrate on creative midfielders who can fill the De Bruyne void, a versatile second striker, and possibly a keeper or backup depth — rather than reinforcing centre-back heavily.
Target Profile #1: A Creative Midfield Architect
Replacing De Bruyne is no small task. The ideal candidate should bring passing range, vision, positional flexibility, and strong work rate.
Potential Candidates
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) — Long been linked to City. A complete attacking midfielder who can drift into advanced roles or drop to facilitate.
- João Neves (Benfica / Portugal) — Though more deep-lying, his composure and ball progression make him a modern midfield pivot. City reportedly prepared a large bid for him.
- Creative internal promotion — City’s youth ranks or fringe players might be nurtured to take on this role, reducing transfer friction.
Why This Move Matters
A creative fulcrum would restore balance: allow Foden, Haaland, and new signings to flourish with incisive passes, not just survive off scraps. Guardiola’s style demands it. This signing would directly address the narrative behind who should Manchester City sign for long-term dominance.
Target Profile #2: A Secondary Goal Threat
Guardiola’s systems benefit. A top-class number two striker, or a “false nine” hybrid, would multiply options.
Names to Watch
- Michael Olise — Recent reports claim City are eyeing him to boost attacking depth, especially on the wings or front line.
- Omar Marmoush — In fact, City already signed him in January 2025. He scored a hat-trick and won Goal of the Season in his debut half-season.
- Emerging forward talents — U23 strikers with tactical flexibility that can be molded.
Though Marmoush is onboard, Squad rotation and future windows might demand yet another forward-like option, especially for European campaigns.
Target Profile #3: Goalkeeper or Backup Depth
Top squads can’t neglect this area. Even with Trafford and possibly Donnarumma, City may look to secure long-term backups or future stars.
- Experienced backup — someone proven in elite leagues who can step in seamlessly during injury or rotation.
- Youth keeper with projection — developing as part of the system under the tute of Ederson/Trafford.
While not the most urgent need, this addition strengthens overall squad resilience.
Transfer Strategy: Smart Moves, Not Just Spending
To successfully act on who should Manchester City sign, the club must also get the mechanics right.
- Scan high-potential zones — Germany, Portugal, France, and Scandina. Pay fair, avoid bidding wars — City’s negotiating reputation matters. Overpaying erodes long-term sustainability.
- Convert prospects gradually — Integrate young signees with incremental responsibilities, protecting them. Be flexible in positioning demands — Modern roles blur lines; sign players who can slot into multipositional setups.
Risks & Counters
- Wages and ego management: Big signings come with big demands. Maintaining dressing room harmony is essential.
- Adaptation and injury: Even stars can struggle in the English game or suffer injury. Backup depth is non-negotiable.
- Champions League jostle: European exigencies might force rotation; the squad must be deep enough.
Detractors might argue City already has too many attacking talents or defensive abundance. But the loss of creative core and a dependable second scorer form a genuine tactical lacuna.
Conclusion
Who should Manchester City sign is not merely a question of shopping — it’s a blueprint for the next era. They must bet on creativity, depth, and tactical intelligence. A visionary midfielder paired with a supporting attacking weapon—and the right backup keeper—can make City more than contenders; it can make them inevitable.
If you enjoyed this breakdown, stay tuned for more insights: top-lists, transfer windows, player profiles. Leave your thoughts: Who you think City should sign next?
