Top 5 Manchester City Players Back From Loan 2026 – Football transfer news!

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February 6, 2026

Man City Eye on Real Sociedad winger Oyarzabal — Bildbyrån

Real Sociedad defensive prodigy John Aramburu is a target for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The remarkable ascent of John Aramburu has not gone unnoticed. His talents have caught the attention of several elite teams, including Manchester City. In an effort to strengthen the right side, Pep Guardiola’s club reportedly wants to sign the Venezuelan international, according to a report from Fichajes.

The Manchester-based powerhouses have experimented with a number of players at right-back, but they haven’t yet discovered the perfect long-term Kyle Walker substitute. He is interested in joining Aramburu because of his ascent in the Spanish top division. In the summer of 2023, the 23-year-old full-back joined the Sociedad squad.

He was promoted to their first team in less than a year, and since then, he has only become better. His achievements have put him on the radar of the major teams in Europe, and he quickly established himself as one of the stalwarts. He has participated in 24 games this season and has even scored one goal.

Jon Aramburu on the radar of Man City for the summer

Manchester City is aware that this move is a calculated investment in the club’s future as well as its immediate present. In his individual duels on the wing, Aramburu, who has participated in 23 official games this season, has displayed maturity unusual for his age.

Guardiola aims to counterbalance an attack-orientated style with his tough demeanour and tactical discipline. The manager from Sampedor is quite tempted by the prospect of having a player who is proficient in both lateral positions.

Because of his reliability, Jon Aramburu’s future appears to be connected to the major international football stages. Before approving the business, Real Sociedad must receive a written bid that satisfies their financial requirements.

In the meantime, they already saw the Venezuelan visiting the Etihad team in Manchester under the tutelage of the strictest coach. A new era has begun with the Sky-blue team’s desired defensive quality improvement having a name and a surname.

Pep Guardiola demands Carabao Cup rule change ahead of Arsenal final

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February 5, 2026

Pep Guardiola has revealed Manchester City will formally request a major change to Carabao Cup regulations ahead of next month’s final against Arsenal.

Cup Final Controversy: Guardiola Slams Rule Barring His Own Player

The manager’s announcement follows his side’s comfortable semi-final victory over Newcastle United.

Guardiola expressed sharp frustration over a rule that currently renders January signing Marc Guehi ineligible for the Wembley showpiece.

The defender missed Wednesday’s second leg because he did not feature in the first leg against Newcastle prior to his transfer.

“Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play the Final because it’s difficult to understand,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.

He argued the rule defies logic for a player who is now a fully registered City asset. “He belongs to us… we pay his salary. Why should he not play?!”

The Catalan manager confirmed the club will appeal to the English Football League (EFL).

“We’ll make a letter, and hopefully they can change it,” he stated, emphasising that Guehi will have been at the club for a significant period by the March final.

However, Guardiola holds little hope for a mid-season amendment. Predicting the EFL’s response, he admitted, “Er, ‘no’. To change the rules, no way. But we will try!”

The situation highlights broader selection pressures as City prepare for a decisive period.

While the appeal progresses, the team’s focus will shift to maintaining fitness and exploring other defensive options, including the recently returned Ruben Dias.

Whether the EFL entertains City’s unprecedented request remains uncertain, but Guardiola has forcefully placed the competition’s eligibility criteria under scrutiny just weeks before a major final.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola is willing to sacrifice Rodri in the summer transfer

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February 4, 2026

Pep Guardiola admits replacing Rodri would be a difficult task even at Manchester City — bildbyran

According to sources, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is ‘ready to sacrifice’ Rodri during the summer transfer window in order to bring in reinforcements from Real Madrid. The Citizens made significant investments earlier in the winter transfer window, signing Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

Before their 2-2 draw against Tottenham, Man City manager Pep Guardiola stated that they will not buy any players on deadline day. We’ve got enough players. Good players. “The window is crucial for the club and the players. Every weekend, I’m extremely upset because I have to leave three players at home.

“Why should we buy while this is going on?” If players depart, perhaps. “I’m pleased.” Despite interest in Strasbourg striker Joaquin Panichelli and other players, Manchester City remained quiet in the final days of the transfer window. And thoughts have already turned to the summer, with many prominent Manchester City players, including Bernardo Silva, linked with end-of-season moves.

City would be willing to listen to offers for midfielder Rodri

Another player who has been connected to a transfer away from Man City amid rumours that he would join Real Madrid is Rodri, who suffered a serious injury last season. Reports from Spain currently state that Guardiola “accepts” that the Spain international will join Real Madrid in the summer, with the manager of Man City “willing to sacrifice” Rodri.

Guardiola says the midfield player is “no longer indispensable”, and Man City is “willing to let him go. “Rodri, for his part, “would be delighted” to return to La Liga.

Real Madrid “would be willing to make a move for him”, but they aren’t prepared to pay a high price. As a result, up to two players might be traded. Guardiola and Man City “like a lot” Rodrygo, and Guardiola would be “delighted” to have the Brazil international among his choices for the upcoming campaign.

Federico Valverde, who has been linked to a transfer to Manchester United, may be a suitable substitute for Rodri, and he might even be included in the deal.

Official: Kalvin Phillips joins Sheffield United in deadline-day loan

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February 3, 2026

West Ham agree with Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips on loan deal

Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United on loan for the rest of the season, completing a deadline-day switch to the Championship club.

Deadline-Day Deal: Phillips Joins Blades for Season

The former England midfielder, 30, aims to resurrect his playing days after a dismal period at Manchester City.

Manchester City signed Phillips from Leeds United for £45 million in 2022, viewing him as the ideal deputy for Rodri. His time at the Etihad Stadium, however, quickly unraveled.

🚨🔴⚪️ Kalvin Phillips to Sheffield United, here we go! Loan deal until the end of the season from Man City.

No buy option clause included, club to club deal agreed right now.

All set for formal steps, as @mcgrathmike reported. pic.twitter.com/y6MGu6JwRR

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 2, 2026

Early illness and injury disrupted his start, and manager Pep Guardiola publicly criticised him for returning from the 2022 World Cup break overweight, severely limiting his opportunities.

Despite a determination to fight for his place, Phillips secured a loan move to West Ham United in January 2024.

The Hammers declined a permanent deal, leading to a subsequent season-long loan with newly-promoted Ipswich Town.

A summer Achilles operation then scuppered any transfer last year, leaving him stranded at City.

His only matchday involvement this term came in a Carabao Cup tie last September, a appearance he made just one day after the birth of his daughter.

Sheffield United, under the reinstated management of Chris Wilder since September, provide a new opportunity.

Wilder has steadied the club after a poor start under Ruben Selles, lifting them to 17th position and seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The Blades will hope Phillips’s proven quality at Championship level can bolster their midfield.

Phillips remains under contract at Manchester City until 2028, with no option for Sheffield United to make the deal permanent.

His immediate focus will be on securing regular football and proving he can still perform at a high level as he prepares for his Bramall Lane debut.

Man City are pushing ahead to land Nottingham midfielder Elliot Anderson next summer

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February 2, 2026

Portuguese club nearing an agreement on loan deal for City defender — Bildbyrån

For the second consecutive January, Manchester City have shown themselves to be the highest spenders throughout the transfer window. They have plundered the Premier League for top players like Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, giving Pep Guardiola the opportunity to fight for a second Champions League championship and challenge Arsenal.

But the situation is far from ideal, as demonstrated by their inability to defeat Tottenham on Sunday. Hugo Viana, director of sport, may view deadline day as a chance to rebuild this City team, which still needs improvement. Here, Express Sport has examined how we may enhance the City team before to the deadline of 7 p.m.

Manchester City were the busiest among the Premier League’s big-hitters in January, with Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo welcomed to the Etihad Stadium. Their roster is looking a lot healthier for it, although there are still voids to be identified in midfield.

Nottingham set timeframe for potential Man City transfer

The Blues have been associated with a long-standing interest in Nottingham Forest and England player Elliot Anderson, who will have a large list of suitors in the forthcoming transfer window after establishing as one of the top midfielders in the Premier League in recent seasons.

Nottingham Forest is willing to postpone setting a valuation for Anderson until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to information from Manchester City insider “Tolmie’s Hairdoo” on X. Anderson is anticipated to play midfield alongside Declan Rice of Arsenal for the Three Lions at the prestigious competition in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

It is also disclosed that Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of City Ground, is “more than happy to bide his time” and that the widely reported £80 million transfer price could not be sufficient for a player who is much sought after by some of the top teams in Europe.

Anderson, a 23-year-old with a contract at West Bridgford through the summer of 2029, is highly favoured by Manchester City and will undoubtedly be in the hunt to acquire him. However, he won’t be an inexpensive acquisition for the Etihad Stadium’s management.

Nottingham Forest has agreed a deal for Man City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega

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February 1, 2026

Stefan Ortega - Manchester City Goalkeepers — Bildbyran

An agreement of up to £500,000 has been reached between Nottingham Forest and Stefan Ortega, the custodian for Manchester City. Davide Frattesi, an Inter Milan midfielder, is another player Sean Dyche’s team is attempting to recruit, first on loan with the possibility of a permanent move.

In addition to playing 19 games for Inter this season, the 26-year-old has 33 caps for Italy. After James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma, 33-year-old German Stefan Ortega is presently the third choice at the Etihad. His contract expires this summer, and he hasn’t played for Pep Guardiola’s team yet this year.

John Victor’s knee injury will keep him out of action for the remainder of the season, which is why Forest needs a keeper. The City Ground team had discussed a trade for Jose Sa with Wolves, but they have since switched their focus to Ortega.

Since joining City in 2022, Ortega has participated in 56 games and was crucial to their 2024 Premier League championship. He participated in 22 games last season, including the July Club World Cup and Crystal Palace’s FA Cup final loss.

Nottingham Forest are close to a deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper

Brazilian stopper John Victor is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury; therefore, Forest needs competition and a replacement for Matz Sels. Jose Sa, the goalkeeper for Wolverhampton Wanderers, was a target for Sean Dyche’s team, but Ortega, whose contract with City expires this summer, is currently the center of attention.

This season, the former 1860 Munich and Arminia Bielefeld custodian has not played in the Premier League. In 2023–2024, Ortega made nine appearances as City won the Premier League, notably when Pep Guardiola’s team defeated West Ham United on the last day to secure the championship.

Ortega was previously referred to by Guardiola as “one of the best keepers I’ve seen in my life.” The German custodian made 22 appearances in the previous season, but since James Trafford from Burnley and Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain were signed last summer, he has fallen farther down the hierarchy.

The German declined offers in the summer, but he no longer travels to every game and hasn’t played this season; he last participated in the Club World Cup last year. Before Donnarumma’s joining on August 16 against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the first day of the season, he was not included in a Premier League matchday squad.

Man City have finalised and confirmed the loan exit of Sverre Nypan from Middlesbrough

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January 31, 2026

Man city boss Pep Guardiola reveals hamstring injury for Kevin De Bruyne — Bildbyrån

According to recent sources, Manchester City is considering a late return for Sverre Nypan from his loan at Championship team Middlesbrough. After rejecting offers from teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Aston Villa in England alone, Nypan signed a £12.5 million contract with Rosenborg last summer and committed to the team until 2030.

Manchester City’s goal was for the Norwegian to learn physicality and rhythm in English football through a season-long loan at Middlesbrough — a development pathway that has historically worked effectively for rising players inside the club’s system.

However, despite early promise, Nypan’s position on Teesside has steadily dwindled, triggering internal conversations at the Etihad Stadium regarding the future of the player coming into the second half of the campaign.

Despite late opposition from Aston Villa, City is still confident in the midfielder’s technical skill, intellect, and mindset—qualities that earlier persuaded director of football Hugo Viana to move forward with the transaction.

Manchester City eye late recall for midfielder on loan

Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News claims that Manchester City is considering reintroducing Sverre Nypan into Pep Guardiola’s squad for the second half of the campaign. According to the article, Nypan has not started any of the last eighteen games for the northeastern team, but City has been pleased with his attitude despite the failure of the strategy to acclimate the Norwegian midfielder to English football.

Nypan is reportedly ineligible to play for Manchester City in the Premier League or Champions League because of homegrown quotas, therefore another loan may be an option. While a recall would not automatically result in competitive minutes under Pep Guardiola, it might allow Manchester City to examine Nypan’s improvement in a controlled atmosphere with first-team players.

In the end, it is anticipated that the next few hours will be crucial. Whether Nypan completes the season at Middlesbrough, goes on loan to another team, or continues to train under Pep Guardiola, City seems determined to make sure that the midfielder’s future plans are in line with the long-term vision that convinced him to dedicate his future to the Etihad Stadium project.

Manchester City target West Ham’s Fernandes as Silva replacement

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January 30, 2026

Manchester City are reportedly preparing a surprise move for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as they plan for life after Bernardo Silva.

£50m Deal? Man City Line Up Move for West Ham Talent

Portuguese maestro Silva has been instrumental to City’s era of success, contributing to multiple Premier League and Champions League triumphs.

With strong indications he will return to Benfica this summer, the champions are proactively seeking his long-term replacement.

According to Beinsports, the club’s recruitment team have identified West Ham’s 21-year-old playmaker as a prime candidate.

Fernandes has impressed in a struggling Hammers side this season, scoring four goals and registering three assists in 25 appearances.

His mature performances have drawn significant praise, with pundit Ashley Williams recently describing him as “excellent.”

West Ham, currently entrenched in a relegation battle, will firmly resist any approach during the January transfer window.

However, the prospect of a substantial summer offer from the financially powerful champions presents a different dilemma.

The Hammers signed Fernandes from Southampton for £42 million just last August, and his valuation could now approach £50 million.

For Manchester City, West Ham’s precarious league position might make a deal more feasible. Securing Fernandes would represent a major coup, injecting youthful creativity into their midfield.

For Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, it poses a critical conflict: a massive financial profit versus the devastating loss of a key talent.

The outcome likely hinges on West Ham’s final Premier League status. Their survival could empower them to demand a premium fee or reject bids outright, while relegation may force a difficult sale.

All eyes will now be on Fernandes’ form as the season reaches its climax, with a potential blockbuster transfer looming on the horizon.

Pep Guardiola relieved as city seal direct Champions League knockout berth

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January 29, 2026