Manchester City may assign iconic shirt numbers to two new signings following £102m transfer verdict

Manchester City have yet to make a signing this summer, but they are still in the process of securing reinforcements in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Manchester City has experienced a relatively uneventful summer thus far, following the conclusion of a lengthy season at Wembley one month ago.

City will commence their preseason campaign in less than a month, and they will be seeking revenge against Manchester United in the Community Shield in seven weeks. The Premier League season commences with a brief reunion with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the opening encounter, followed by friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

Despite rumours of a variety of incomings and outgoings, there has been no transfer activity at the Etihad thus far, as the summer tournaments have impeded the potential for business to be conducted. This may prepare City and other clubs for a tumultuous preseason that includes a plethora of transfer activity and fixtures in the latter half of July and the majority of August.

The number of incomings for City may be contingent upon the departure of an individual. Ederson is a target for numerous clubs in the Saudi Pro League, while Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva are rumoured to be on the verge of leaving. Although Savio is anticipated to arrive, the Troyes winger is presently participating in the Copa America for Brazil.

The availability of customers will determine the outgoings. Kalvin Phillips was the subject of numerous transfer connections at the outset of the window; however, these have since been discontinued. If no clubs are willing to meet their asking price, City may be compelled to take a loss on the £42m they paid for him two years ago and may even have to approve another loan.

Then there is Joao Cancelo, who is eager to return to Barcelona; however, the Catalan titans are unwilling to offer him a reasonable price. Cancelo was acquired by City for £60 million in 2019. Although Pep Guardiola is amenable to the possibility of Cancelo returning to his squad during the preseason, the player has been unwelcome at the Etihad for 18 months, and a sustainable solution would be more advantageous for all parties. He is another individual who City may need to contemplate another loan move or take a loss on.

Two iconic shirt numbers would be available to offer new recruits if both Cancelo and Phillips were to depart. When Phillips joined, he assumed Vincent Kompany’s No.4 shirt; however, he has been unable to match the weight of Kompany’s legacy. The No.4 position could be transferred to a new addition if City were to recruit a new midfielder, particularly to provide support for Rodri in defensive midfield.

Similarly, Cancelo assumed the number seven when Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea. However, he was transferred to Bayern Munich six months later, and the number has remained unworn ever since. In the event that Cancelo departs permanently, the number could be assigned to a new attacking arrival or conceivably to an existing winger as an upgrade. Georgi Kinkladze, David White, Peter Barnes, and Mike Summerbee have all donned it in the past.

It is not uncommon for squad numbers of loaned-out players to be reassigned. Therefore, the futures of four and seven could suggest City’s long-term intentions for Phillips and Cancelo if they are unable to be sold this summer.