Manchester City have banked £91m from the sales of four players who were signed by Pep Guardiola in his last two years in charge, with a potential further £100m to follow if two more departures are completed.
The sales of James Trafford, Tijjani Reijnders, and Savio have already generated significant revenue for the club, with a club record £85m from Savio's switch to Tottenham. The Egyptian Omar Marmoush, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle, could add another £100m to the total if he joins his former Manchester City teammate Savio at Tottenham.
Manchester City have endured a summer of change, with a number of high-profile departures and arrivals. The club have a reputation as big spenders, but were relatively restrained in the transfer market for a while, before suddenly needing to replace an ageing group. They spent £450m in four windows, more than half on players who have either gone or may play a negligible part in the new regime.
The sales of Trafford, Reijnders, and Savio have been particularly notable, given their relatively short time at the club. None of the three won the title with City, with Savio's 84 appearances the most of the trio. Reijnders, who was bought to provide box-to-box midfield options, lost his place in the team, while Savio, who was seen as a potential replacement for Riyad Mahrez, failed to replicate his predecessor's goal-scoring habit.
The sales of these players have allowed Manchester City to fund further rebuilding, with the £116m buy of Elliot Anderson and the proposed £85m arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi in the new midfield. The club have also been able to invest in a third arrival in the centre of the pitch, with the total cost of the new signings exceeding the potential £100m from the sales of Marmoush and Savio.
The departures of Trafford, Reijnders, and Savio have highlighted the difficulty of unearthing footballers to suit Guardiola's style of play. The club's decision to sell these players has also raised questions about the value of their signings, with some critics suggesting that Manchester City have prioritised quantity over quality in the transfer market.
The sales of Trafford, Reijnders, and Savio have generated significant revenue for Manchester City, but the club's decision to sell these players has also left them with a number of questions about their transfer strategy. The club's new director of football, Enzo Maresca, will be under pressure to deliver on his promise to find a "new Rodri", with the sales of these players leaving a significant gap in the midfield.
Manchester City's new signings, including Elliot Anderson and Cherki, will be under the spotlight as they try to fill the gaps left by the departures of Trafford, Reijnders, and Savio. The club's ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the transfer market will be crucial in their quest for success, with the sales of these players providing a significant challenge for Maresca and his team.
Source: Yahoo Sports