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Pep Guardiola's summer transfer plans are influenced by uncertainties about the future of Ilkay Gundogan and Nicolas Otamendi.
The manager of Manchester City had made the search for a long-term successor for Fernandinho his priority in the next window, with targets Rodri Atletico Madrid and objectives of Tanguy Ndombele Lyon.
But Gundogan's refusal to sign a new deal could force City to sell the German midfielder this summer, leaving Guardiola behind.
Otamendi, meanwhile, is unhappy to find himself behind Aymeric Laporte and John Stones in a hierarchical order – and is increasingly frustrated by his lack of playing time.
It is thought that he is considering his options at the end of the season and could also leave.
Vincent Kompany should be awarded a new one year contract. However, doubts about his long-term fitness will prompt Guardiola to seek another center instead of Otamendi.
The city's plans for the summer have evolved considerably during the season. A possible ban on transfer is also necessary following a FIFA investigation into the signing of minor players.
Guardiola, who initially planned to focus on a leading midfielder, briefed Football Director Txiki Begiristain (below, on the right) and Ferran Soriano (left) that he wanted to recruit up to three new players.
One of these was a left-back offering coverage and serious competition to injured Benjamin Mendy.
Aleks Zinchenko was convinced to return to Ben Chilwell from Leicester.
If Gundogan were to leave at the end of the season, Phil Foden could be offered more opportunities for the first team, but Guardiola will likely want even more options, given his strategy of overburdening key areas of his team.
The City chase by Manchester United target Joao Felix is further proof of this approach.
Guardiola has a wealth trouble in attack after spending a club record at Riyad Mahrez last summer, but City still retains a strong interest in Felix.
Considering that Kevin de Bruyne's return to form could allow Bernardo Silva to be deployed more regularly to the right of the attack, Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus may spend even more time on the sidelines, even without additional additions.
In central defense, Eric Garcia could be offered more opportunities in the first team, while Philippe Sandler is another option. But Guardiola knows that it will be risky to rely on the physical form of Kompany, only experienced cover of Laporte and Stones.
Guardiola is a great admirer of Matthijs de Ligt – who is also coveted by a host of big European clubs, including Barcelona and United. But the fact that the starlet of Ajax is represented by Mino Raiola constitutes a potential obstacle, given the public acrimony between the agent and Guardiola.
With suggestions Danilo is also unhappy with his position on the team, Guardiola may still have to look for a cover in the back.
Considering that the Catalan city was inflexible, we are well beyond the major recruitment campaigns of his first two summers at Etihad, the window ahead looks more busy than everyone expected from the club.
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