Man City star returns to pre-season training amid transfer uncertainty

Several Manchester City players have returned to pre-season training today (Monday) ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The Premier League champions have reported back a week later than the majority of top-flight sides, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur beginning their preparations last week.

But with the late end to 2023/24 due to the FA Cup final, and the majority of players representing their countries at Euro 2024 and Copa America, it means City’s players were given additional time off. Those involved in the major international competitions weren’t at the club’s training base on Monday, however, with players given around three to four weeks off to recuperate.

But, as per Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom, who was stationed outside City’s training base on Monday morning, there were several significant arrivals in the form of Erling Haaland and Stefan Ortega. The latter returns having signed a new contract at City, while Haaland had the summer off after Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

Ederson was another of City’s high-profile stars in attendance on Monday. The goalkeeper has been linked with a summer exit amid interest from Saudi Arabia and ended last season injured, which prevented him meeting up with the Brazil squad for the Copa America.

Ederson suffered a fractured eye socket in the penultimate league game last season at Tottenham and wrote on social media that ‘no one understands, but me’. That came days before reports of a potential departure emerged.

Elsewhere, Jack Grealish wasn’t spotted arriving at City’s training base, although that’s not necessarily an indication that he wasn’t among the group of returnees on Monday. The winger has already been at the club’s training base earlier this summer as he maintained his fitness levels ahead of the new term, and Grealish has posted several images and videos of his off-season workouts.

The 28-year-old, who is to soon become a dad for the first time, was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad this summer following a disappointing 2023/24 campaign and a lack of playing time.

Other players expected back at City on the first day of pre-season include Scott Carson, Rico Lewis, Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee and Oscar Bobb. Among those involved in major championships this summer, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are likely to return first given Croatia’s early exit.

City are set to fly to America later this week ahead of their pre-season friendlies which begin on 24 July. Pep Guardiola’s side face Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea before returning to England for the Community Shield on 10 August.