After Eight unforgettable years, it’s time to say goodbye” – Manchester City player officially leaves the club as he posts an emotional farewell message on Instagram
Manchester City enter January brimming with optimism as they look to make 2026 more successful than the previous year. The Blues have put themselves in an excellent position to do exactly that, having won eight consecutive matches while gradually closing in on Premier League leaders Arsenal in the title race.
However, heading into tonight’s Premier League fixture against Sunderland, the Blues know that victory is essential if they want to cut the gap to just two points. A defeat to the Black Cats would take significant pressure off Arsenal and represent the worst possible start to 2026.
But New Year’s Day also marks the opening of the January transfer window, and there are several potential nightmare scenarios that could unfold over the coming weeks which would seriously damage Pep Guardiola’s plans. With this in mind, MEN Sport examines what a disastrous January transfer window could look like for Manchester City.
Bernardo signs pre-contract agreement
Much like the situation when Ilkay Gundogan first left the club, the early weeks of 2026 threaten to be dominated by speculation about whether Bernardo Silva will depart Manchester City. Ask any City supporter and you’d be hard-pressed to find one who would happily see the 31-year-old leave.
The harsh reality is that from the start of this month, the midfielder can legally negotiate and sign a pre-contract with any foreign club, which would officially end the Portuguese playmaker’s time with the Blues.
Unfortunately for Kalvin Phillips, his 2022 transfer to City has proven to be a disastrous mistake for his career. While the financial rewards have been substantial and he’s won two Premier League titles plus the Champions League, he’s managed only 32 appearances for the Blues during his entire spell.
Keeping Phillips beyond January would be a disaster for both the club and the player. A fresh start in the new year would benefit everyone involved. Staying only delays what seems inevitable and serves no one’s interests.
