Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'face losing key players this summer'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 16 February 2020

Journalist Mark Ogden says that Manchester City 'will find it hard' to keep hold of a number of key players this summer if the club's European suspension stands.

Journalist Mark Ogden has claimed that Manchester City 'will find it hard' to keep hold of a number of key players this summer should the club be unsuccessful in overturning their European suspension.

On Friday night, City were hit with the news that they have been banned from European competition for the next two years, meaning that they will not be able to return to the Champions League until the 2022-23 campaign.

The futures of Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling have been called into question in the wake of the shock announcement.

ESPN journalist Ogden has claimed that the players will ultimately "look after themselves", referencing Juventus's previous problems when discussing the current situation at the Etihad Stadium.

"Players will look after themselves. When Juventus were demoted after the match-fixing scandal, Patrick Viera was one of the first off and he's still loathed in Turin as he left Juventus when they were relegated," Ogden told Sky Sports News.

"Players can talk about loyalty all they want but if they feel their career is being damaged by a club that can't offer them what they want, they'll find a way to get out. City's big players like Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne are all on long-term contracts so there is no way City will let them leave easily.

"However, if they were in a situation where they can't generate the income to play these players, none of the players have won the Champions League yet and if they stay at City they won't win it for two more years. Keeping those players will be hard."

Real Madrid are allegedly keeping a close eye on developments in Manchester as they consider a move for De Bruyne when this summer's transfer window opens for business.