SUMMER SALES: Five Man City Stars Most at Risk as Pep Guardiola Threatens to Resign if Club Don’t Cut His Squad Down

Pep Guardiola has lit a fuse under Manchester City’s summer plans with a bombshell revelation — he’s prepared to walk away from the club unless the board trims his bloated squad. After an emotionally charged statement following City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth, the Catalan tactician insisted the current state of his team is “impossible for my soul” and is demanding change, or else.

The problem lies in City’s overcrowded dressing room. Despite consistent domestic and continental success, Guardiola is unhappy with having to leave established stars out of his matchday squad, which he believes breeds frustration and imbalance. With new faces arriving and younger talents breaking through, hard decisions must be made.

As the summer transfer window looms, insiders suggest that Pep is prepared to sanction the exit of even the most high-profile players. His message is crystal clear — reduce the squad or risk losing one of the greatest managers in football history.

One of the biggest names in the spotlight is Jack Grealish. The £100 million man, once the poster boy of English football, has found himself slipping down the pecking order. He’s started just seven Premier League matches this season and didn’t even make it onto the pitch in the recent FA Cup final. Instead, Pep handed minutes to teenage sensation Claudio Echeverri — a move that spoke volumes about Grealish’s current status.

The writing appears to be on the wall for Grealish. If he wants regular football, a move away looks inevitable. However, with his lofty wages and inconsistent form, finding a suitor willing to take on the financial burden might not be so straightforward.

Another figure under scrutiny is John Stones. Once hailed as Pep’s ideal ball-playing centre-back, Stones has been plagued by injuries and has featured in only six league matches this season. Guardiola has remained fiercely loyal in the past, but this summer may finally signal the end of Stones’ time at the Etihad. A reunion with David Moyes at Everton — perhaps on loan — has been quietly discussed.

Goalkeeper Ederson is also facing an uncertain future. While he’s been a cornerstone of City’s golden era, cracks have begun to appear. Injuries have disrupted his season and backup keeper Stefan Ortega has stepped in capably. Rumours of interest from Saudi Arabia have intensified, and a big-money move could tempt both club and player to part ways.

James McAtee, the homegrown midfielder, briefly became the subject of Chelsea’s interest in January — a sign of his growing reputation. But with midfield competition stiff and Leeds United showing strong interest, McAtee may decide his future lies elsewhere. Despite an impressive FA Cup hat-trick against Salford, his chances of regular starts at City remain slim.

Perhaps the most surprising potential exit is Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian has delivered solid performances, especially toward the end of the campaign. However, with Rodri cemented as the first choice, new addition Nico Gonzalez already in the mix, and more signings likely, Kovacic could soon find himself surplus to requirements. Interest from Atletico Madrid and clubs in Saudi Arabia further complicate the picture.

City’s midfield is perhaps the area where Guardiola faces the toughest choices. While he wants competition for places, he also knows that too many options create disharmony. For players like Kovacic and McAtee, the desire for regular minutes could push them out the door.

What’s unfolding is a calculated ruthlessness from Guardiola. He’s won everything with City, but he’s still chasing perfection — and he sees a bloated squad as an obstacle, not an advantage. His demand for a leaner, more focused group shows his intent to extend City’s dominance, not rest on it.

This summer promises to be pivotal for Manchester City. High-profile exits are not just possible — they’re likely. The club may say goodbye to long-standing servants and marquee names in the pursuit of balance and sustainability.

Guardiola’s warning isn’t a bluff. He’s given the club a clear ultimatum: trim the fat or risk an era-defining exit. And if he doesn’t get his way, Manchester City could lose the man who made them serial winners.