Yeah it makes sense for Gundo, if he is ready to wind down. That’s basically what he’s said, he’ll see if he thinks he can still be competitive. I think some of that comes down to motivation as well as other factors. In my opinion I think it depends what happens this season in the CL. I think if we don’t win it, we’ll see him do another season. If we do win it, I don’t think you’ll hear much about Gundo again, he’ll retire playing a bit part role at Barca.
I think with Bernardo it’s similar, but a bit more complicated. I reckon if we won the CL he’d be happy to go too, but if we didn’t, he might want to stay. This is what I’ve heard. However, the only way he goes anywhere, is if his agent can broker a deal with a club who can afford him, which is realistically just PSG or Real. Unless, another top team comes in with a swap deal, but that’s difficult to make. In all honesty, my opinion is, I think Bernardo will end up staying and then going on a free transfer in two years, by which point he’ll be in a position where he might want to wind down too and could end up back in Portugal.
I think Laporte may go off to PSG or Real though. I can’t see Bayern paying anything for Cancelo, so unless we can do a swap deal, he might be hard to move on for a good price too. But I think the club would be willing to give a discount on him because of his supposed attitude problems. Whereas Bernardo hasn’t a put a foot wrong and I don’t think he would. From what I hear, he loves City, he just has a desire to be closer to home and start a family.
To be honest, I don't think Gundog & Bernardo staying or going will have anything to do with our failures or successes this season.
One's expressed his wish to leave & the other is nearly 33 & will soon be out of contract. City need to prepare for both scenarios regardless of what the players decide.
I think this will sadly be Ilkay's final season & I think City will have identified his long term replacement already. I really can't see City not having a plan in place, whilst hanging on until negotiations with Gundog's people are over either way.
With most of our former players, we found out late in the season that they were definitely leaving. That to me suggests the decisions were already made, but not announced so as not to affect the squad.
As for Bernardo, it's quite simple. We want £80m & if someone matches our valuation, he'll leave. If not, he'll remain as a committed player until his contract ends in 2025. I'd love him to stay, but either £80m or another 2 years are fine with me.
Agreed with Laporté. I can see there being a lot of interest in him but with major battles over his valuation, because everyone tries to low ball City. PSG, Real & Barça are apparently monitoring the situation, but fuck knows what possible "Levers" Barça have left to pull... \0/
As for Cancelo, I just want him gone! However therein lies the problem. After the boos he got at the Etihad & the way he celebrated Haaland's penalty miss, everyone else knows we want rid, so they'll be queuing up with more low ball offers for him.
HOWEVER, there maybe a silver lining where Alphonso Davies is concerned. He's been heavily rotated this season & only has two years left on his contract.
Bayern would be loathed to lose him, but if Davies were interested & the price was right, I could see a potential deal involving Cancelo.
The only issue with that is Cancelo! We need him to pull his socks up lickety split & start performing! :-)
