Five Man City players who could leave in January

Suraj Radia

14 Dec 2025 08:00 CST
5 min read

Manchester City are desperate to return to being the best team in the Premier League after a disappointing campaign last year where they finished in third place, having previously won six titles in seven years.

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City spent €200 million during the previous January transfer window in order to save their season after a slow start and they spent another €200m this summer in the hopes of securing the title this year.

However, Pep Guardiola’s side currently find themselves behind Arsenal in the Premier League and they may be forced to sell players this January in order to make up for their extravagant spending in 2025.

Players would likely have to leave City if they do wish to do business in January and FootballTransfers takes a look at five players who could depart during the winter transfer window.

James Trafford

James Trafford had only rejoined Manchester City for a matter of weeks before the club signed a new goalkeeper in Gianluigi Donnarumma that has essentially relegated the England international to the bench despite a big-money move from Burnley.

City paid €31m to bring Trafford back to his boyhood club and he initially began the season as Guardiola’s starting goalkeeper but a combination of some poor mistakes and the arrival of Donnarumma saw the 23-year-old dropped after just three league appearances.

Trafford has grown frustrated after rejecting Newcastle to join City in anticipation that he would be the club’s number one and the Magpies are among the clubs who would be open to giving the goalkeeper a quick exit and make amends for a decision that has backfired tremendously on him.

Stefan Ortega

City may be forced into a restructure of their entire goalkeeping department, with Stefan Ortega also said to be keen on leaving the club in January in search of first team football.

Current ETV

Stefan Ortega

Man City

Stefan Ortega

Man City

ETV Range

€5.4M - €7.3M

Ortega has largely been a backup for City since his arrival in 2022 but the 33-year-old has shown glimpses during his cameos that he has more than capable of becoming a first-choice keeper at another club.

While City will not let both Trafford and Ortega leave in January, one could be allowed to depart and the German international’s contract ending in six months could make him a prime candidate to be sold if the right offer comes in.

Oscar Bobb

Oscar Bobb was considered arguably City’s most exciting youngster before he suffered a devastating leg break at the start of last season which saw him play just 14 minutes of league football across the campaign.

The 22-year-old has since recovered from his fitness struggles but is yet to recapture his best form, particularly while featuring largely as a rotation player for City.

City have no desire to permanently sell Bobb at this stage but they could look to loan him out for the remainder of the season to get him some much-needed minutes and help his career get back on track.

Kalvin Phillips

You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Kalvin Phillips still played for City, with the 30-year-old having not made a Premier League appearance for the club in two years.

Current ETV

Kalvin Phillips

DM, M (C)

Man City

Kalvin Phillips

DM, M (C)

Man City

ETV Range

€10.6M - €13M

Phiillips’ €49m transfer from Leeds in 2022 has been nothing short of a disaster and the England international has failed to prove his quality in loan spells with West Ham and Ipswich in recent seasons.

In spite of his decline, Phillips could still generate some interest in January and he is believed to be keen on moving to a foreign club in order to revive his career, with City desperate to get his wages off the books and close the chapter on his failed signing once and for all.

Savinho

Having come close to joining Tottenham during the summer, Savinho’s future at City has once again come into doubt after a lacklustre start to the season so far.

The 21-year-old has provided just one assist in 11 league appearances this season, the majority of which have come off the bench, and his disappointing displays so far have seen his minutes continue to reduce.

The Brazilian signed a new contract in October after the interest from Spurs and the North London side could return with a fresh approach in January, while City would be open to his sale for the right price in order to fund their business elsewhere.

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