Man City transfer latest on the futures of Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Aymeric Laporte & more

With just a few months until the summer transfer window opens, Manchester City and their fellow Premier League rivals are already putting recruitment plans in place.

The Blues are expected to bring in at least one midfielder, with Jude Bellingham top of the club’s wishlist, while a return for Romeo Lavia is also a possibility, albeit ManchesterWorld understands a move to Chelsea looks more probable at this stage.

City’s need for midfielders could be dependent on who departs the club, with Ilkay Gundogan weighing up his options at present, while Bernardo Silva is keen on departing. The latter would have left last year had a suitable offer arrived from Barcelona, who are also interested in the Portugal international this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain another side keen on City’s no.20.

Given Barcelona’s financial situation, a move for Silva this summer looks unlikely, but the side currently top of La Liga may opt for the cheaper option of Gundogan. The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the Etihad this summer, meaning Barcelona would not have to pay a transfer fee to bring him to the Nou Camp.

Spanish outlet Sport claim Barcelona have been in contact with the player over recent months with talks ‘progressing at a good pace’. They add Gundogan is admired by Xavi and that Barcelona are willing to offer him a two-year contract.

Another player linked with a move to the Catalan club in recent months is Aymeric Laporte, who has dropped to fifth choice in Pep Guardiola’s centre-back preferences. Football Insider believe it is ‘unlikely’ the Spain international will remain with the club this summer, with the centre-back set to ‘look for a new club’.

Meanwhile, the same outlet report Kalvin Phillips will not leave the Premier League champions at the end of the season despite his lack of minutes. The England international is yet to start a Premier League game since his switch from Leeds United last year. Football Insider claim Phillips has no desire to move on and ‘is determined to break into Pep Guardiola’s side’.

Youngster Shea Charles has also been linked with a summer exit, but said in a recent interview that he would only consider a short-term move away from the club. “I don’t really know too much about it [transfer rumours] myself,” said the Northern Ireland international, as per the Manchester Evening News.

“I’m just trying to focus on City at the moment. That’s who I’m playing for, that’s the main thing at the moment. [A loan move is] always a possibility. The City Football Group is very good for players that need first-team football, so yeah, it is a possibility. I’m not sure at the moment.”