Manchester City plan bumper contract renewals for first-team duo

Officials at Manchester City are planning to reward two members of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad with new contracts in the coming months, according to reports.

While the ongoing season has perhaps been more of a challenge than some may have first presumed following the opening weeks of the campaign, certain stars within Manchester City’s first-team squad have consistently performed when called upon.

As such, with just a matter of months to go until the summer transfer window re-opens for another year, officials within the Etihad Stadium are starting to plan their activity for the market, including the renewal of contracts within the first-team squad.

Reports in recent days have speculated the future of Ilkay Gundogan in particular, with the Germany international into the final months of his existing City deal, and the club claimed to be reluctant to hand him the terms that he and his team are requesting.

Now, the latest information to circulate concerns one of Manchester City’s mainstays in their defensive set-up, and the recently crowned World champion, Julian Alvarez – who signed for the club only last summer.

According to the information of the Daily Star, Manchester City are set to hand versatile defender Nathan Ake a new contract this summer.

It is reported that City’s new long-term contract for the Netherlands international will also include a ‘significant’ pay rise. The Premier League champions are ‘keen’ to reward Ake for his ‘best season yet’ since joining from Bournemouth in June 2020.

From the viewpoint of City boss Pep Guardiola, the 28 year-old is reportedly seen as the ‘perfect role model’ for younger stars in the squad, and the player’s ‘dedicated approach’ even when out of favour has particularly impressed the Catalan coach.

Elsewhere, a report from Simon Mullock of the Mirror has provided a positive update on the future of rising Argentina star Julian Alvarez, and his place in Manchester City’s plans despite the goalscoring form of Erling Haaland.

It is stated that relevant officials within the Etihad Stadium are planning to ‘open talks’ with Julian Alvarez about a new contract, with the 23 year-old ‘regarded as a big part’ of the future at the football club.

While the retaining of star players will undoubtedly be a priority for Manchester City this summer, work is already understood to be underway in relation to that of recruitment to further strengthen Pep Guardiola’s playing squad.

The likes of Jude Bellingham and James Maddison are understood to be on the club’s radar for the midfield positions, while club scouts are also monitoring the performances of a number of wide attacking players, namely the Serie A duo, Rafael Leao and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

For now, it remains total focus within the squad on the tasks at hand, with Manchester City continuing to fight on three fronts for the remainder of the season, with the Champions League being the one title to elude them under the coaching of Pep Guardiola.

City travel to face RB Leipzig in the first-leg of a last-16 tie against the Bundesliga giants on Wednesday night, before Premier League duties resume on the weekend with a trip to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday evening.