City rebuilds under Guardiola as Haaland eyes more trophies

City face a tricky transfer window as Guardiola reshapes the squad around urgency, with Haaland pushing for more trophies and Donnarumma linked to a move.

City chase hunger under Guardiola Haaland targets silverware and Donnarumma links emerge

Manchester City arrive at a crowded transfer window with a shifting balance between keeping core players and adding marquee names. Guardiola's team spent the summer chasing edges that could alter the starting XI, from Rodrygo and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the frame to Ederson's status and Savinho's future. The talk of Donnarumma and Savinho leaves a question mark over the goalkeeper spot and the winger role, while Hugo Viana's arrival signals a broader strategy change.

City open the campaign at Wolves with a number of unsettled positions in defence and midfield. The absence of a settled XI, combined with a heavy schedule and the potential arrivals, is shaping a fragile start that could set the tone for the season, with Tottenham, Brighton, Arsenal and the Manchester derby around the international break. Reijnders has started brightly, offering late runs and multi goal potential, while injuries to Rodri and Kovacic complicate selection. Haaland has called for a hungrier season, a mindset Guardiola says he is actively trying to instill on and off the pitch.

City's current moment is as much about identity as tactics. The flirtation with Donnarumma and Rodrygo signals a willingness to reshape the spine of the team, not just patch gaps. Hugo Viana's approach appears to blend prestige with budget discipline, suggesting a shift in how the club builds for the long run.

This strategy carries risk. An unsettled XI early in the season could slow their start, and fans will watch how Ederson's status plays out with a potential move still on the table. Guardiola's push for a deeper hunger is clear, but translating ambition into results will require crisp decisions in the final weeks of the window.

Highlights

City's next moves will reveal whether this season restores their edge or redefines their legacy.