Manchester City came into the summer transfer window needing to improve multiple areas of their squad after a disappointing season by their standards.

Manchester City failed to challenge for the Premier League title last season, and they were quite poor in the UEFA Champions League as well. For a club who were challenging for major trophies regularly and winning silverware every season, it was unacceptable.

Manchester City were under pressure to improve their score so that they could match up with the European elite once again. They have had an eventful window, but one has to wonder if there are still gaps that need to be plugged in the coming months.

Overall, it has been an impressive window for Manchester City, and it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back strongly this season. They have made a mediocre start to the Premier League campaign, and Pep Guardiola will certainly hope that the new signings can help them turn things around.

Manchester City 2025/26 Arrivals

• Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan for £46.3 million.
• Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves for £31.2 million.
• Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £35 million.
• James Trafford from Burnley for £27 million.
• Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG for £26 million.
• Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg for £12.5 million.
• Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea (undisclosed fee).

Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at three players Manchester City should have signed this summer.

Valentino Livramento

Manchester City were briefly linked with a move for the Newcastle United defender in the summer transfer window. They needed someone like him, and it could prove to be a mistake not signing a quality right back.

They have not been able to replace Kyle Walker so far, and Livramento would have been an exceptional acquisition. The English international has been a star for Newcastle since joining the club, and he will only improve with coaching and experience.

He has all the tools to develop into a top-class player with the right guidance. Guardiola could have played a key role in his development and helped him fulfil his potential. He would have helped Manchester City improve defensively as well as in the final third. It will be interesting to see if Manchester City can rectify this mistake in January.

Carlos Baleba

Manchester City need another combative presence in the middle of the park. They suffered during Rodri’s absence through a long-term knee injury last season, and they do not have a quality alternative to him yet. Signing the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder could have been ideal for Manchester City.

They were linked with the player this summer, as were Manchester United. The 21-year-old is undoubtedly an exceptional talent, and he has already proven himself to be a reliable performer in the Premier League. He will only improve further with coaching and experience. The youngster has all the tools to develop into a future star, and he could have added defensive cover, drive and physicality in the middle of the park.

There is no doubt that Manchester City have improved in the midfield with the addition of Tijjani Reijnders, but they need more defensive cover in the middle of the park, and one can only hope that their decision not to sign a defensive midfielder does not come back to haunt them.

Nico Williams

Manchester City are still lacking a top-quality winger, and they should have made a move for the Spanish international. Nico Williams has been outstanding for the Athletic Club in recent seasons, and there is no doubt that he would’ve added a new dimension to the Manchester City attack.

They have not had an elite winger since the departure of Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane. Even though Pep Guardiola has players like Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Savinho at their disposal, the Manchester City manager lacking a player who can stretch the defence and add unpredictability from the flanks.

Manchester City needed that raw pace and trickery in the final third. It will be interesting to see if they can bring someone in to improve that area of the pitch when the transfer window reopens in January.

Williams is a proven performer for club and country, and he could have improved Manchester City immensely. The player was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League at the start of the summer transfer window, but a move never really materialised.

Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they are expected to fight for major trophies every season. After the disappointing campaign last time out, they will be expected to win the league title fight for the UEFA Champions League. It remains to be seen whether their summer signings are enough to propel them to the top of English football once again.