After Eight unforgettable years, it’s time to say goodbye” – Manchester City player officially leaves the club as he posts an emotional farewell message on Instagram
THE CONCLUSION OF A CHAPTER: Manchester City Player Makes Emotional Exit Following Eight-Year Stay at the Etihad 💔
After spending eight unforgettable seasons with the club, the footballer has formally confirmed his exit through a heartfelt message shared on Instagram. The fanbase has flooded him with immense gratitude and respect for his dedicated years of service 👏💙
Manchester City approach January with considerable hope and determination as they aim to make 2026 more successful than the previous year. The Blues have positioned themselves favorably to achieve exactly that, having secured an impressive run of eight straight victories while steadily applying pressure on Premier League table-toppers Arsenal in the championship pursuit.
Nevertheless, heading into this evening’s Premier League encounter with Sunderland, the Blues understand that nothing less than victory will suffice if they’re serious about narrowing the deficit to just two points. Suffering a loss against the Black Cats would significantly ease the burden on Arsenal and would represent the most disappointing possible beginning to the new year.
Yet New Year’s Day simultaneously signals the opening of the January transfer window, and there are several potential nightmare situations that could unfold throughout the month which would seriously undermine Pep Guardiola’s long-term plans and aspirations. With this context in mind, MEN Sport has examined what a catastrophic January transfer period might look like for Manchester City.
Bernardo agrees to pre-contract arrangement
Similar to the situation when Ilkay Gundogan departed the club initially, the early weeks of 2026 risk being consumed by speculation surrounding whether Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City. If you surveyed City supporters, you’d struggle to locate even one who would willingly support the 31-year-old’s exit from the club.
The reality is stark: the arrival of this month means the midfielder is now legally permitted to negotiate and sign a pre-contract agreement with any foreign club, which would formally bring an end to the Portuguese playmaker’s tenure with the Blues and mark the conclusion of a highly successful partnership.
Regrettably for Kalvin Phillips, his 2022 move to Manchester City has turned out to be a catastrophic misstep for his professional trajectory. While the financial compensation has certainly been substantial and he’s collected two Premier League titles along with a Champions League winners’ medal, he’s only succeeded in registering a mere 32 appearances for the Blues throughout his entire stay.
Retaining Phillips beyond the January transfer window would represent a catastrophe for both the football club and the player himself. A new calendar year offering a clean slate and fresh opportunities for everyone involved would be the optimal outcome. Remaining at the club only postpones what seems inevitable for a bit longer, benefiting absolutely no one in the process.
