Man City could trim £72m off wage bill as Pep Guardiola confirms key man may leave

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has conceded that Ederson has ‘options’ to consider this summer amid persistent links with the Saudi Pro League. Losing his starting goalkeeper would be a crushing blow for Guardiola, but it would make life easier for those in charge of keeping City’s finances in check due to Ederson’s hefty annual wage.

Dispensing with a number of other exit-linked stars this summer could save City a whopping £72million in yearly wages. Here, Express Sport takes you through seven of those with uncertain futures…

Jack Grealish: £15.6m

Following Guardiola’s confirmation that Kevin De Bruyne will be going nowhere despite links to Saudi Arabia, the next wage bill heavyweight who could make way from the Etihad is Grealish. Bayern Munich, led by former City captain Vincent Kompany, are reportedly eyeing up a move for the wide man who, according to Sportrac, pockets an eye-watering £15.6m per season.

Bernardo Silva: £15.6m

Reported to be on exactly the same wage as Grealish, Bernardo is a crucial player for Guardiola and an established star on the European stage. Past rumours suggest the Portuguese is keen to live in a warmer climate, and while there is little noise surrounding a potential transfer at present, his £50m release clause means one cannot be ruled out before next month’s deadline.

Joao Cancelo: £13m

From a player likely to stay at the Etihad to one almost certain to leave, Cancelo has not played for City since midway through the 2022/23 season, when a change of system left him frozen out of the starting line-up. Loans to Bayern Munich and Barcelona have not led to a permanent exit as yet, with the £13m-a-year full-back’s entourage now believed to be offering him to sides in Serie A.

Kyle Walker: £9.1m

Patchy performances at Euro 2024 provided the first hints that 34-year-old Walker may now be past his best. City are reportedly keeping tabs on Jeremie Frimpong as a new option at right-back, and his possible arrival could leave Walker scrambling to find a new club.

Kalvin Phillips: £7.8m

The midfielder’s spell at City has been a complete disaster. Handed a lucrative £7.8m annual wage upon signing from Leeds United in 2022, Phillips has made only 16 Premier League appearances under Guardiola. Everton are reportedly eyeing up a loan move for the 28-year-old which could help the Sky Blues shave a sizable chunk off their wage bill.

Ederson: £5.2m

Al-Ittihad are willing to put big money on the table for the Brazilian, who has made well over 300 appearances in seven years at City. If the move goes ahead, the talent of back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega could convince Guardiola to plough into the new season without signing a direct replacement, allowing the club to lap up a healthy £5.2m saving on the wage bill.

Julian Alvarez: £5.2m

There are murmurs that the 24-year-old is not happy with his role at City as Erling Haaland continues to monopolise the central role up top. The club have reportedly slapped a £75.6m price tag on Alvarez’s head amid interest from Atletico Madrid.