Manchester City

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

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Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked with a move to Manchester City after he was omitted from Paris St-Germain's Super Cup squad.

So how does the Italy goalkeeper compare with City's current crop and would he fit in Pep Guardiola's system?

The 26-year-old excelled as a shotstopper last season as PSG won a maiden Champions League title. Yet his exclusion from their side is possibly related to his more limited ability with the ball at his feet, with head coach Luis Enrique stating that the club was "looking for a goalkeeping profile that is different".

Guardiola requires his goalkeepers to be secure on the ball and even initiate attacks. Ederson is considered one of City's best passers and has contributed a Premier League record eight assists in his time at the club, with four of those coming in 2024-25.

Even so, while Donnarumma is yet to provide an assist, his passing accuracy in the French top flight stood at an impressive 85.4% last season, just below the Brazilian's Premier League percentage and above that of Stefan Ortega.

However, his save percentage of 66.2% is perhaps surprising given his 6ft 5in frame. He kept only four clean sheets in 24 league starts and conceded almost four goals more than he should have according to Opta, with his goals prevented total -3.6.

New goalkeeper James Trafford racked up a remarkable 84.5% save percentage last season - but it should be underlined this was in the Championship rather than the top flight.

Donnarumma has also posted better save figures in previous seasons and during the 2024-25 Champions League campaign, he kept out more than 70% of shots faced. He is also formidable when facing penalties and has kept out almost one in four spotkicks he has faced during his career.

Donnarumma remains elite with an exceptional reach and dominance in one-on-one situations, and is not as bad on the ball as some critics would suggest. He would likely improve any Premier League team, even Manchester City.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Manchester City currently have four senior goalkeepers on their books, which is one too many, so it is somewhat of a surprise that they are being heavily linked with Paris St-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The Italy number one's career at PSG appears to be over after being left out of the Super Cup tie against Tottenham and the Ligue 1 champions signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

Reports say City have agreed a deal to sign the 26-year-old but sources close to the player have told BBC Sport this is not the case and they have not spoken to Pep Guardiola's club.

City's current number one Ederson has been heavily linked with a move to Galatasaray but club sources have said they want the Brazilian to stay and there have, so far, been no bids or interest this summer.

The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and said at the Club World Cup in June that his "future is here" and his "mind is staying in the club".

However, that could change if City were to receive an attractive offer - that would be a situation both the club and player would need to think about.

City's competition for the goalkeeping jersey is extremely healthy, with James Trafford coming in from Burnley and Marcus Bettinelli being signed as third-choice earlier this summer.

It means Stefan Ortega's career at City appears to be over with the club open to offers for the German goalkeeper, and would mean they would need to sign a replacement should Ederson depart too.

That road then leads back to Donnarumma and, although there has been no contact between the parties so far, that may change by the end of the month.

Kelly Cates hosts a special Manchester City-focused Football Daily with a host of guests to analyse Pep Guardiola's side.

Steph Houghton, Guillem Balague and Sam Lee join Kelly to discuss Guardiola's hunger and some changes at board level that could affect his performance as head coach.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire also joins the pod after news that the verdict on City's alleged financial breaches could be delayed until October.

The panel also discuss City's summer business, the departure of Jack Grealish and rumours around Rodri's future.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Only 36% of teams who are top at the end of September win the title - including Liverpool last season.

So how much does a good start indicate who will win the league?

The record amount of points after 10 games is 28 (nine wins and a draw). All those four teams - Manchester City (2011-12 and 2017-18), Chelsea (2005-06) and Liverpool (2019-20) went on to win the title.

But the two teams who had the next best starts, with 27 points - Newcastle (1995-96) and Arsenal (2022-23) - failed to convert it into silverware after infamous collapses.

Newcastle were top after 10 games in three consecutive seasons and did not win the title in any of them.

There are plenty of examples of teams picking up 26 points in their opening 10 games and not going on to win the title.

That includes Tottenham, who had a stunning start to life under Ange Postecoglou in 2023-24 before eventually finishing fifth.

However, seven teams have not even been on 20 points after 10 games and still won the title.

Manchester City came back to win the title by a clear 12 points in 2020-21. They were sixth, sitting on 18 points and three points off top, after 10 games.

That was the first of City's four titles in a row - and they were not top after 10 games in any of them.

Manchester City have held talks with Paris St-Germain over a deal for 26-year-old Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with personal terms not expected to be an issue. (RMC Sport - in French), external

Meanwhile, Galatasaray have made an approach for City keeper Ederson, which would clear the way for Donnarumma to move to Etihad Stadium. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Freddie Pye
Fan writer

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New faces, and a feeling of a fresh start.

The brand new season was bound to bring about plenty of change off the back of the last campaign's difficulties, and having invested in four new faces in January, sporting director Hugo Viana has built upon that start with further investment.

Perhaps some Manchester City fans may be slightly concerned about the lack of wholesale exits from the squad, particularly concerning the older guard including the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Akanji, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, John Stones and more.

But with a rebuild must come stability, and the process of transitioning from one era of players to another, transferring knowhow and experience to this fresh wave of energetic and ambitious names is of utmost importance at this relatively delicate phase of Manchester City's rebuild.

Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have created the most conversation among supporters. Their energy, fresh vision and creativity in the centre of the park looks set to bring about plenty of notable moments this season should they continue from where they have started during the Club World Cup and pre-season. There is also promise in Rayan Ait-Nouri and his range of abilities down the left hand side, particularly in an attacking sense.

The simple fact of changes in terms of personnel, coupled with the fresh outlook stemming from coaching staff changes working alongside Pep Guardiola, is enough for City fans to be excited and hopeful for a campaign that should bring back a competitive edge when it comes to the biggest honours.

But with the hopeful outlook on the new campaign should also come some caution; just how quickly will Manchester City's new stars be able to take to the vision installed by Pep Guardiola over the last decade?

Only time will tell on that front, and winning some of the early games will help to build a feeling of optimism ahead of competitions and fixtures coming thick and fast later on down the line. Furthermore, how well Manchester City's traditional competitors have strengthened their own squads this summer will have a bearing on how Guardiola and his staff can contest the Premier League and Champions League in particular.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Manchester City are considering a move for Real Madrid's 24-year-old Brazil forward Rodrygo, who is valued at £87m. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a deal for City midfielder James McAtee. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Jack Grealish's loan move to Everton includes a £50m option to buy the forward next summer. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is keen to stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the summer transfer window despite interest from Galatasaray. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Former Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Pep Guardiola: "He's been there 10 years now, and it's a long time. We've seen with managers in the Premier League these days, usually they don't last longer than three or four years. When a season starts, you've got to light a fire in a team with the fans and make people believe. And I'm not sure he's got that fire any more.

"Obviously you can never write him off because they've got a fantastic team - Rodri is back after a long injury, but I'm not sure they're going to win another big title under Guardiola.

"I'd be surprised, to be honest."

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We asked for your views on whether Manchester City are ready for the new season after Pep Guardiola's side defeated Palermo 3-0 in their only pre-season friendly in Sicily on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Jack: Feel like City are still one or two players short. But I'm very positive as I think the signings we have made have been in the right areas. Reijnders was a no-brainer, as was Cherki as they both look very impressive. Same with Ait-Nouri and Trafford is long term number one and pushes Ederson. But, I feel like we could have done with a right-back. I feel like that was the position to spend and improve on Rico and Nunes.

Andrew: City are so ready. Existing squad determined to get back on track and 2025 joiners eager to make their reputations, plus a couple from the academy will grab their chance.

Cameron: I think City could have an outstanding season but only if Pep plays his cards right. First, he needs to find the right goalkeeper to start, then he needs to find a good rhythm in either passing or counter-attacking. Either way I believe City will win some trophies this season.

Kevin: There is far too much blending of the new arrivals to do in order to recreate some semblance of previous seasons. There is a lot of clearing out to do and question marks over some of the old guard. The biggest challenges are to compensate for losing the tactical/visionary genius of KDB and to see if Rodri is able to return to his ringmaster role.

David: Some of the new signings looked good at the Club World Cup and in yesterday's friendly against Palermo, Reijinders looks more than ready. Overall the team look built to go forward with more intent and with Bobb back and at his mercurial best, the future looks good. Expect more goals from midfield. We will not know for a month whether they are ready though. Not because of the Club World Cup but because Guardiola never trains his teams to start, he trains them to finish.

Steve: Hope I am proved wrong but I don't think we have strengthened the squad enough in key areas, and we still have too much 'deadwood'. Gundo, Stones, Grealish, Ake and Ederson all need to be moved on.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Manchester City will be a wounded beast after an undoubtedly disappointing season without winning a major trophy, capped off by a shock exit from the Club World Cup.

Boss Pep Guardiola has freshened up the squad with five new signings, including re-energising the midfield with the acquisition of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.

Not since 2017 have City finished third in the Premier League, so there may be a little uncertainty around how they react and how quickly the new blood settles in.

Champions Liverpool and Arsenal are being talked about as the frontrunners for the title this season so it may suit City to fly under the radar, while all the focus is on the other two challengers.

Read about the other contenders

Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, 29, is set to join Everton on loan after agreeing terms. (TeamTalk), external

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Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is on.

It's been a busy summer at Etihad Stadium with six arrivals and four departures, including talismanic midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.

City start the season at Wolves on Saturday - but are they ready?

Get in touch

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Manchester City concluded their pre-season preparations with a commanding victory over Palermo in their only summer friendly.

Rico Lewis set up Erling Haaland for the opening goal in the first half.

In the second half, summer signing Tijjani Reijnders impressed with two slick finishes to establish his credentials before City open the season at Wolves on Saturday.

You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Manchester City.

Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:

Steve: As a young boy in East Sussex, I was mesmerised by Peter Barnes running down the wing. I used to pretend I was him whenever I had a ball at my feet so needless to say I became a Manchester City fan.

Here I am nearly 50 years later, a Sussex-based season ticket holder with a 550-mile round trip every home game. I have spent years on the M6 wondering if I was slightly insane?

But the friends I have made, the memories shared and the past few trophyladen years make it all worthwhile!

Mark: I was at Maine Road waiting in my work van for new signing Trevor Francis to arrive.

Suddenly there was a rush of photographers running to the front entrance. In all the excitement, I started my van to get a bit closer, my foot slipped off the clutch pedal and I hit a concrete bollard!

But…I did get to see our new superstar!

Manchester City have turned down an offer from Roma for Argentine midfielder Claudio Echeverri, 19, as they want to loan him to Girona, who are under the City Football Group umbrella. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Manchester City.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Mike: I moved to Bury in 1962 soon after Colin Bell signed for them. He moved into a 'club' house opposite where we lived and I watched him with my dad at Gigg Lane.

When he moved to City, my support went with him. Soon after my, second favourite player Franny Lee also signed for City. That was it. I was a Man City fan forever!

Carl: As a football mad three-year-old living in Norwich, I only ever wanted a Norwich football strip. My mum and dad didn't have much money and when my birthday came, I was given a Man City away strip, the red and black stripes, as it was half price.

I didn't know about Man City until that day but ever since, I have followed them for 57 years and can remember watching Mike Summerbee, Lee, and Bell. City were strong, then after came the lows but I still loved City every game.

Now I still can't believe I support the greatest club ever and always will.

Send us your pictures and stories here

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Erling Haaland is the only Manchester City figure featured in the Ballon d'Or shortlist - or any other of the year's awards.

Despite City not winning a trophy last season, Haaland still scored 34 goals and added a further five assists in 48 outings for the Blues this season.

It is his fifth consecutive nomination for the award.