A mass clear-out could be on the cards for Manchester City in the summer, with five first-team stars potentially leaving according to fresh reports.
City are expected to refresh their squad and Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez has shed light on a number of those who could be moving onto pastures new at the end of the current campaign.
Appearing on El Chiringuito, Alvarez says Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte are the most likely candidates to depart the Etihad Stadium.
Club captain Gundogan's deal is due to expire at the end of the season and there has been talk that City are hopeful of getting the Germany international to renew.
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However, he has also been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona and Alvarez says he is in "quite advanced" negotiations over a free transfer.
Bernardo Silva has long been courted by the La Liga giants as well as Paris Saint-Germain and looked set to leave in the last two transfer windows.
It appears the Portugal international will now finally move on as he “keeps rejecting” contract proposals for City.
Similarly, Silva's compatriot Joao Cancelo is unhappy and Alvarez claims his rapport with Pep Guardiola and his coaches “is not the best”.
City want to tie down Aymeric Laporte to new terms but Alvarez says the Spain international is “thinking more about a departure in June”.
Guardiola is known for being open to letting players leave if they are not happy with their predicament. He allowed Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to join Chelsea and Arsenal respectively in the summer after the trio wanted more game-time.
Translated by Sport Witness, Alvarez explained: “A major exit operation because there is a lot of wear and tear among the heavyweights in the dressing room. There are several players who are disgruntled and can’t stand the situation."
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte, Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker
Josh Lawless