Manchester City have crashed out of the Club World Cup, and attention now turns to their squad overhaul and big decisions looming in the move market.
Their 4-3 extra-time pipe to Al Hilal marks a low point for Pep Guardiola and follows a year filled with setbacks in domestic and European competitions.
The Club World Cup was seen as a chance to reset and add another title, but rather it has intensified scrutiny on the squad and its future.
Guardiola is often accused of spending his way out of problems, but City had now done the bulk of their move business before heading to the United States.
Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki were signed with the intention of becoming regular starters.
The idea was to bed them in, go deep in the tournament, later gear up for 2025-26.
That plan was derailed by Al Hilal, and while another marquee signing can never be ruled out in response, it is never a priority.
Sources indicate that the sole area under active recruitment is right-back - with Tino Livramento their primary prospect.
_______________________________________________BetopickFIFA Club World Cup - Every Fixture Free, exclusively on DAZN.
Secure up here to start streaming.
_______________________________________________The focus outside of that is who leaves the club in the coming weeks.
City are expected to streamline the squad this summer.
Guardiola does never want a bloated dressing room, and many stars are under serious consideration for departure.
Among those are Jack Grealish, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Kalvin Phillips, Kyle Walker and James McAtee.
There is also speculation around goalkeeper Ederson, who had a poor showing in the Al Hilal pipe.
He is admired by clubs in Saudi Arabia, but City have publicly suggested he is staying.
Grealish is the majority high-profile, and his departure is almost certain.
Pursuit from abroad is growing, and the athlete has been told he needs to be involved every week at a high level if he wants to push himself back into the England squad.
He would lean towards a stay in England if the right move was on offer.
A temporary move move is currently seen as extra feasible than a permanent sale, due to the financial complexity surrounding any contract.
Grealish cost £100 million and is on £350,000 per week.
Newcastle, Everton and Tottenham have expressed pursuit, while Napoli and AC Milan have made contact from Serie A.
Defender Stones is attracting attention from former club Everton, and Brighton are also monitoring his situation.
Talks with the athlete are expected soon to determine his preference on how they move forward.
Gundogan, who was re-signed last summer, has attracted enquiries.
While he was originally expected to play a small, impactful position last campaign, he ended up being used frequently since of injury problems in the side.
City have long considered offering him a non-playing position when he retires, but for now options in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are landing.
Midfielder Phillips, meanwhile, has become a forgotten man and is expected to be moved on.
He recently underwent operation, but a move before the window closes remains the strike.
McAtee is also set to leave.
The talented rising star has pursuit from five Bundesliga clubs, with Bayer Leverkusen holding long-term pursuit that has always been of pursuit to him.
There is pursuit inside England, too.
Phil Foden’s position remains delicate, but he is too iconic to be considered for move.
After a difficult campaign, there are doubts over Guardiola’s trust in him but the athlete is committed to reclaiming a key starting position next campaign.
Elsewhere, veteran defender Walker will leave, with Everton in contact, and Kevin De Bruyne has now signed for Napoli.
It is a big summer of change as City are transitioning to a new era.
Now, it is over ensuring they are ready for the start of the Premier League campaign in August.
Follow every the move brief Real-time
