Manchester City has completed several high-profile deals in the January 2026 transfer window, most notably securing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for £64 million and Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace for £20 million. These moves are part of a broader “rebuild” under new sporting director Hugo Viana, who has overseen an investment exceeding €300 million for the 2025–26 season. Fans can expect a continued focus on midfield reinforcements and a long-term successor for the right-back position as the club prepares for the 2026 summer window. This guide provides an authoritative deep dive into every confirmed arrival, departure, and emerging rumor surrounding the Etihad Stadium.
Antoine Semenyo Joins for £64m
Manchester City officially signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on January 9, 2026, for a reported fee of £64 million. The Ghanaian forward has signed a long-term contract running until June 2031, providing Pep Guardiola with a powerful and versatile option on the wings.
The 26-year-old made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in his first four matches for the club. His arrival was prioritized to add physical presence and directness to an attack that has shifted following the departures of several veteran stars.
Marc Guéhi Bolsters Defense
England international Marc Guéhi completed his move to Manchester City from Crystal Palace on January 19, 2026, for a fee of £20 million. Despite being one of the Premier League’s top-rated defenders, City secured the center-back on a cut-price deal as he entered the final stages of his previous contract.
Guéhi has committed to the Etihad until 2031 and is expected to partner with Abdukodir Khusanov in the heart of the defense. His leadership and composure on the ball were cited by the club as key factors in his recruitment during the winter window.
Tijjani Reijnders Stabilizes Midfield
During the summer of 2025, Manchester City secured Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for £46.3 million. Reijnders was brought in to provide technical security and work rate in a midfield that has faced significant transition.
The 27-year-old has been a mainstay in Guardiola’s starting XI, operating primarily as a No. 8 to facilitate transitions between defense and attack. His arrival followed the departure of Ilkay Gündogan, who moved to Galatasaray on a free transfer earlier in the year.
Rayan Cherki Signs from Lyon
In June 2025, City beat several European rivals to the signature of French talent Rayan Cherki from Lyon for €36 million plus add-ons. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder signed a five-year deal and is viewed as a long-term successor to the creative roles previously held by Kevin De Bruyne.
Cherki’s versatility allows him to play as a traditional No. 10 or on either wing, adding depth to a frontline that also includes Phil Foden and Jérémy Doku. His early performances have showcased the elite dribbling and vision that made him one of Ligue 1’s most sought-after prospects.
Gianluigi Donnarumma Takes Number One
Manchester City completed a major goalkeeping reshuffle in September 2025 by signing Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million. This followed the departure of long-serving keeper Ederson, who joined Fenerbahçe for approximately £12 million.
Donnarumma, the Italian national team captain, has quickly established himself as City’s first-choice goalkeeper. His shot-stopping ability and commanding presence in the box have been vital as the club navigates a period of defensive restructuring.
Elliot Anderson Summer 2026 Target
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson has emerged as Manchester City’s primary midfield target for the summer 2026 transfer window. The 23-year-old has reportedly “set his heart” on a move to the Etihad after a breakout season where he leads the Premier League in several passing metrics.
Forest is expected to demand a fee in the region of £100 million for the versatile midfielder. City’s interest comes as the club evaluates the futures of veteran players like Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, whose contracts are nearing their end.
Right-Back Search: Livramento and Read
With the departure of Kyle Walker to Burnley, Manchester City is actively scouting long-term solutions for the right-back position. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is a top priority, though his £80 million valuation and recent hamstring injury have led the club to consider alternatives.
Feyenoord’s teenage sensation Givairo Read has also been identified as a potential target. Read would likely cost significantly less than Livramento, with a fee of around £25–30 million potentially enough to secure the highly-rated 19-year-old.
Omar Marmoush’s Role and Future
Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for £59 million. While he has been a valuable rotation player, rumors have surfaced regarding a potential exit in the summer of 2026 to make room for further elite arrivals.
Marmoush provides flexibility across the front three, but the emergence of Antoine Semenyo has increased competition for starting spots. His future may depend on whether Guardiola chooses to stick with a deep squad or trim it for specific high-value targets.
Rayan Aït-Nouri Fixes Left-Back
Rayan Aït-Nouri joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £31.3 million in June 2025, finally providing City with a natural attacking left-back. The Algerian international has been a consistent performer, offering a dynamic threat on the overlap.
His arrival ended a long period where City relied on converted center-backs or midfielders to fill the left-back role. Aït-Nouri’s contract runs until 2030, ensuring stability in a position that has historically been a revolving door for the club.
Oscar Bobb Departs for Fulham
In a move to secure more regular first-team football, Oscar Bobb joined Fulham in January 2026 for a fee of £27 million. The Norwegian winger, who showed flashes of brilliance in the City academy and senior squad, was allowed to leave as the club overhauled its attacking options.
Bobb’s sale represents a significant “pure profit” for the club’s academy system. The deal reportedly includes buy-back or sell-on clauses, a standard practice for City when offloading high-potential youngsters.
Kevin De Bruyne Leaves Napoli
Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne officially ended his storied career at the Etihad in the summer of 2025, joining Napoli on a free transfer. The Belgian playmaker’s departure marked the end of an era, as he was the last remaining link to the pre-Guardiola core.
De Bruyne’s exit saved the club significantly in wages, allowing for the reinvestment into younger talents like Cherki and Reijnders. Despite his departure, his influence remains a benchmark for the creative players currently in the squad.
Jack Grealish Loan at Everton
Jack Grealish spent the 2025–26 season on loan at Everton, with the Merseyside club holding an option to buy the winger. Reports suggest City is eager to finalize a permanent sale in the summer of 2026, though the fee may drop to as low as £30 million.
Grealish’s move followed a season where he struggled to find consistent minutes under Guardiola. His departure on loan was a clear signal of the club’s intent to move in a new direction with more direct wide players like Semenyo and Doku.
Manuel Akanji Joins Inter Milan
Swiss defender Manuel Akanji departed for Inter Milan on a season-long loan during the 2025 summer window. The move included a loan fee of approximately £8 million, with the Italian giants expected to explore a permanent deal.
Akanji’s exit paved the way for Abdukodir Khusanov and later Marc Guéhi to take more prominent roles in the squad. His departure was part of a broader strategy to reduce the average age of the defensive unit.
The Rise of Abdukodir Khusanov
Young defender Abdukodir Khusanov has become a breakout star since joining from Lens in January 2025 for £33.6 million. The Uzbekistan international has established himself as a reliable center-back, often starting alongside Rúben Dias or Marc Guéhi.
Khusanov’s rapid adaptation to the Premier League has been one of the highlights of the 2025–26 campaign. His physical style and composure under pressure have made him a favorite of the coaching staff.
James Trafford Returns to City
Manchester City re-signed goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley in July 2025 for £27 million. After a successful stint away, Trafford returned to act as a high-level competitor and deputy to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trafford’s homegrown status is particularly valuable for City’s squad registration in both the Premier League and the Champions League. His return highlights the club’s strategy of utilizing its buy-back knowledge to secure reliable talent.
Practical Information and Planning
How to Watch Man City
Fans wishing to watch Manchester City matches can find them broadcast on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime Video in the UK. For the 2025–26 season, Sky Sports has increased its coverage, showing over 215 live Premier League games.
Ticket Prices and Availability
- Standard Tickets: Range from £45 to £95 depending on the opponent.
- Hospitality Packages: Start at approximately £250 per person.
- Membership: It is highly recommended to join the “Cityzens” membership for priority access to tickets.
Getting to the Etihad Stadium
The stadium is located in East Manchester and is easily accessible via the Metrolink (Tram). Take the East Manchester line to the Etihad Campus stop, which is directly adjacent to the stadium. On matchdays, shuttle buses also run from the city center.
Stadium Tours and Opening Hours
- Tours: Run daily from 10:00 to 16:30, except on matchdays.
- Club Shop: Open Monday to Saturday 09:00–18:00 and Sunday 10:00–16:00.
- What to Expect: A modern, high-tech stadium experience with multiple food and beverage options located at “City Square” outside the West Stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Man City’s most expensive signing in 2026? Antoine Semenyo is currently the most expensive signing of the 2026 January window, joining from Bournemouth for £64 million.
Did Manchester City sign Marc Guéhi? Yes, Marc Guéhi signed for Manchester City from Crystal Palace in January 2026 for a fee of £20 million.
Which players left Man City in January 2026? Notable departures include Oscar Bobb, who moved to Fulham for £27 million, and several youth players like Jadel Katongo and Will Dickson.
Is Kevin De Bruyne still at Manchester City? No, Kevin De Bruyne left Manchester City in the summer of 2025 to join Napoli on a free transfer.
Who is Manchester City’s current first-choice goalkeeper? Gianluigi Donnarumma is the current number one, having signed from PSG in late 2025.
What is the latest on Jack Grealish? Jack Grealish is currently on loan at Everton for the 2025–26 season, with a permanent exit expected in the summer of 2026.
Who are Man City’s top targets for the summer of 2026? The club is heavily linked with Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Newcastle right-back Tino Livramento.
How much did Man City spend in the 2025-26 season? Total spending for the season is estimated to be over €300 million (£250m+), including the winter arrivals of Semenyo and Guéhi.
Who is the new sporting director at Manchester City? Hugo Viana took over the role of sporting director, succeeding Txiki Begiristain, and has been leading the current squad rebuild.
What happened to Ederson? Ederson left Manchester City in the summer of 2025 to join Turkish side Fenerbahçe for a fee of roughly £12 million.
Can I buy tickets for Man City matches without a membership? It is very difficult as most matches sell out to members first; however, some tickets may be available on the official Ticket Exchange for fans with a previous purchase history.
Who is the longest-serving player at Man City now? Following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones is the longest-serving player currently in the first-team squad.
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