Manchester City transfers: All the 2023 summer deals at the Etihad
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Manchester City transfers and rumours
Treble winners Manchester City lost several key players during the 2023 summer transfer window, but also splashed the cash in bringing in some high-quality replacements.
Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez were just two of the players to leave the club, but the Premier League and Champions League winners made some high-quality additions to a strong squad for the new campaign.
In what was a busy summer for Manchester City transfers and rumours, we look back at all the deals at the Etihad Stadium.
You can also check out our best transfers of the summer by clicking on the link.
Who have Manchester City signed?
Josko Gvardiol
The Croatia defender finally completed his move from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal, with City paying £77.6m for his services, and will add competition on the left side of City’s defence.
Gvardiol spent the last two seasons at the Bundesliga club, making 87 appearances in all competitions, and was key to Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar at the end of last year.
He started out at Dinamo Zagreb, making his senior debut for his hometown club aged 17 in 2019, and, after turning down an approach from Leeds, joined RB Leipzig for £13.8million in the summer of 2021.
Jeremy Doku
Doku became City’s third signing of the summer when he completed a £55.5million move from Rennes on a five-year deal.
The 21-year-old Belgium winger came through the youth ranks at Anderlecht before joining Rennes in 2020. Noted for his pace, he made his international debut in 2018 and featured at both Euro 2020 and last year’s World Cup.
He said: “I am quick, I am strong, I like to dribble. Those are my abilities that I like to rely on. I think the way I dribble, my speed – those are things that I can add to the group.”
Matheus Nunes
City grabbed the early headlines on transfer deadline day as they completed the signing of Nunes from Wolves.
After overcoming some minor sticking points in final negotiations over an initial £47.3m deal, both clubs were able to come to an agreement on a £53million move – a club-record sale for Wolves.
The 25-year-old Portugal international was keen to move to the Etihad Stadium and did not train with Wolves in order to push the move through.
Nunes told the club’s official website: “I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the champions of Europe and a club I’ve admired for a long time.
“The opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest managers ever, and alongside some of the best players in the world was something I couldn’t turn down. I’ve learned so much during my season at Wolves and I’m excited to continue improving in the Premier League, a division which brings the best out of me.”
Mateo Kovacic
Croatia midfielder Kovacic joined City on a four-year contract for an initial £25m, potentially rising to £30m, as a direct replacement for Gundogan, who joined Barca on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old midfielder joined Guardiola’s side after five years at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and Europa League and made 221 appearances.
Kovacic said: “This is a brilliant move for me and I cannot wait to get started with City. Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are. For me, they are the best in the world. The trophies they have won are clear for all to see, but they are also the best footballing side out there.”
Manchester City signings:
Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig – £77.6m)
Jeremy Doku (Rennes – £55.5m)
Matheus Nunes (Wolves – £53m)
Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea – £25m)
Who left Manchester City?
Cole Palmer
Palmer surprisingly completed a £40m deadline-day move to Chelsea on a seven-year deal.
The 21-year-old City academy graduate played 14 league games during the club’s Premier League title-winning season and was an unused substitute as they beat Inter Milan to win the Champions League in June.
Despite his increased involvement in the champions’ first team – which included scoring in both the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup this season – Mauricio Pochettino hinted a chance to play a more significant role in west London may have been a factor in persuading him to move.
Palmer told Chelsea’s website: “I’ve joined Chelsea because the project here sounds good and because of the platform I will have to try to showcase my talents. It is a young and hungry squad and, hopefully, we can do something special here.”
Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli for a fee understood to be worth up to £30million.
The Algeria winger spent five years at the Etihad Stadium and helped the club win 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Mahrez told the treble winners’ website, mancity.com: “To play for Manchester City has been an honour and privilege. I came to City to win trophies and enjoy my football and I achieved all that and so much more.
“I have had five unforgettable years with this football club, working with unbelievable players, fantastic supporters, and the best manager in the world. Manchester City will forever be a huge and happy part of my life.”
He joined City in 2018 in a £60million deal from Leicester, where he won the Premier League in 2016.
Mahrez made 236 appearances for City in all competitions and scored 78 goals. He was a key member of Pep Guardiola’s squad but was not always first choice last season, and was an unused substitute in both Champions League and FA Cup finals.
Ilkay Gundogan
The 32-year-old midfielder, one of the key players players in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, turned down the chance to stay at the Etihad and instead opted to join Barcelona on a two-year contract.
Gundogan, who was Guardiola’s first signing in July 2016, signed off in style by lifting the Champions League after victory over Inter Milan in his 304th and final appearance.
During his seven years at City, Gundogan won the Premier League five times in addition to two FA Cups – this season scoring the quickest goal in final history at 12 seconds – four League Cups and the Champions League.
Aymeric Laporte
Laporte ended a five-and-a-half year spell at City by joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic at Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
The Saudi Pro League outfit are understood to have paid a fee of £23.5million for the 29-year-old Spain defender.
Laporte, who joined City from Athletic Bilbao in a £57million deal in January 2018, won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and five domestic cups as a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
He told City’s website: “When I first joined, I was excited about the prospect of winning trophies. However, I could not have imagined the success we would go on to achieve together.”
Joao Cancelo
Cancelo joined Barcelona on loan until the end of the season a few hours after the Spanish champions brought Joao Felix to the club on a similar deal.
The 29-year-old Portuguese, who has made 154 appearances for City, spent time with Bayern Munich last term.
James Trafford
The England Under-21 star signed for Premier League newcomers Burnley on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper spent last season on loan at League One club Bolton.
Earlier this month Trafford’s heroics helped England earn European Under-21 Championship glory after he made a diving save to deny Abel Ruiz’s penalty-kick in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory against Spain in the final.
Manchester City departures:
Cole Palmer (Chelsea – £40m)
Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli – £30m)
Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr – £23.5m)
Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona – free)
Joao Cancelo (Barcelona – loan)
James Trafford (Burnley – undisclosed fee)
Benjamin Mendy (Lorient – free)
Maximo Perrone (Las Palmas – loan)
James McAtee (Sheffield United – loan)
Tommy Doyle (Wolves – loan)
Issa Kabore (Luton – loan)
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
