3 Manchester City players who could leave next summer

Manchester City have been working hard to secure the long-term futures of their best players and they’ve succeeded in recent years to ensure that indispensable members are retained and not allowed to run their deals down.

Barring one notable exception, only second-string members of the squad are in the final year of their respective contract, meaning Pep Guardiola has little to worry about in regard to what players he could lose in the coming months.

City have three players whose contract will expire next summer, two of which are defenders and one who is in the midfield. Guardiola has been linked with centre-backs in recent weeks and it may be due to who could be on their way out in June 2019. Time will tell.

#3 Vincent Kompany

Manchester City v Burnley FC - Premier League

Kompany could be a free agent next summer if he fails to put pen to paper on an extension, although an exit would appear premature. The 32-year-old joined City from Hamburg in 2008 and has gone on to make 340 appearances in all competitions, scoring and creating 29 goals. Kompany has won three Premier League titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup at the Etihad and remains a key player when fit at the age of 32.

The Belgium international, who has represented his country on 85 occasions, loves playing for City and is likely to now end his career in Manchester. It’s hard to see Kompany playing for another side at his age, and Guardiola knows that letting him go would lead to a negative reaction from supporters. The defender is well-loved and is revered by his teammates, so keeping Kompany might be the best option – even if it’s as a coach.

The wisdom he could impart onto the next generation will be invaluable. Kompany is a born leader and one who would be a help and not a hindrance in the dressing room. His contract may not be dealt with until next year, so his future will be somewhat hazy until City confirm what they’ll do with him.

#2 Eliaquim Mangala

Manchester City v Huddersfield Town - Premier League

Mangala is another centre-back who could be on his way out of the club at the end of the season, but there’s little ambiguity over whether City want to keep him or not. The only issue will be the financial loss that Mangala’s departure would cause, after being signed for more than £30m in 2014. He’s gone on to make 79 appearances in all competitions but has been on the City periphery since 2016.

The 27-year-old, who has made eight caps for the French national team, has been loaned out to Valencia and Everton in the last two seasons as his time with the Mancunians looks over. City certainly won’t be happy losing £30m on Mangala, not to mention his five-year salary, but there’s no future for the centre-back at the Etihad and a new deal won’t come his way purely for the sake of selling him for money.

City don’t make many missteps, but their treatment of Mangala will go down as one of the big ones. They spent a lot of money to procure his signature and expected big things of him in Manchester.

#1 Brahim Diaz

Oxford United v Manchester City - Carabao Cup Third Round

The lesser-known Diaz has been tipped for a bright future, but the teenager could be on his way out of the club next summer. He joined City from Malaga in 2013 and has managed to make only 13 appearances at senior level, two of which were starts. Diaz rose through the youth ranks to the first-team in January 2018, but his future is in doubt nine months later.

Twelve months ago, Guardiola admitted he was worried Real Madrid could snatch Diaz, saying: “We want him, but today the market is the market - the wishes from the clubs, maybe we cannot control it. I know - because we spoke with him many times - the commitment from that guy, Brahim, to stay here and play for Manchester City because Manchester City gave him the opportunity to start to compete in the high level.”

Diaz was given a three-year professional contract in 2016 that is set to expire in the coming months and things haven’t gone to plan for the 19-year-old in the last year. He’s made only two appearances (Community Shield, EFL Cup) this season and looks surplus to requirements. Diaz made 19 appearances in all competitions (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup) last season, but will he be here in June 2019? Is a new deal coming his way?