‘Barca media at it again’, ‘Just speculating’ – Man City fans react as Journalist makes ‘major exit operation’ claims involving five first-team stars

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims a mass clear-out could be on the cards for Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer, with five first-team stars potentially leaving.

City are expected to refresh their squad and Spanish journalist Jose Alvarez Haya 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, the Journalist says Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte are the most likely candidates to depart the Etihad Stadium.

💣”El Barça está INTERESADO en jugadores del MANCHESTER CITY”

🔥”Gundogan, Walker, Cancelo, Bernardo Silva o Laporte, descontentos con Guardiola, podrían salir”

Exclusiva de @10JoseAlvarez. pic.twitter.com/TZhBjQ9bem

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) January 25, 2023

While many are expecting a big upcoming summer transfer window in the way of arrivals, Jose Alvarez states that the same could be said for exits, as he explained.

Alvarez provides a breakdown of the situation concerning each of the five players, as he states that: “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.

Joao Cancelo, for example, was one of the best full-backs in world football last season but has struggled this campaign and his relationship with Pep Guardiola and his backroom team “is not the best”, and as a result he wants to leave 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.

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.

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.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@tom_mcfc05: “Barca media at it again”

@wrjn25: “Wasn’t this the guy who said Gundo to Barca was a done deal? 2 days before it came out he was discussing a new contract with us? Not exactly the most reliable source in the world is he?.”

@mancityfever: “Unreliable source. He also said Gundo to Barca is a done deal. No need to worry guys”

@mcfcalfie: “This just isn’t true. I believe the same source said Gundo to Barca was done? I need to see that Gundo renewal tweet to destroy this guys integrity, along with the rumours..”

@TeacherOfBall: “Apart from Walker I see this as an absolute win.”

@LJsTwitching: “Report doesn’t even say why walker is disgruntled? Tbh those players leaving isn’t the end of the world other than Walker imo. Ideally would also want to keep cancelo and gundogan but gundo is also getting older and cancelo isn’t great defensively so are replaceable.”

@OneEyedLycan: “Wouldnt have an issue with either going, as long as we get a new left back. Certain players just seem to want a new challenge and that’s fine”

@Stonesology: “Not surprised one bit by this. Laporte is understandable as he’s played well and has gotten dropped after. Cancelo needs to fight for his spot instead of complaining cuz Rico earned the spot & Ake has been great at LB. Bernardo always wants to leave. Walker is still a need for”

@MCFC_Sam320: “Unless the players or manager says it themselves don’t listen to it! Maybe it’s true, but it’s just speculation as it’s not confirmed. As long as they give 100% whilst they are here is ok with me ”

@CityFanMNC: “All this misinformation is used to turn the fans against the players…next thing you will hear fans booing these players at games, yall need to see behind the smoking mirrors”