Manchester City players know to expect constant competition for their place in a team, and the forwards currently in the squad have just been given an extra challenge.
Not only is Erling Haaland coming to take up the No.9 berth in a position he is expected to occupy for most games, but the Blues have decided to throw in another talent into the front line. Argentina international Julian Alvarez will now stay as part of Pep Guardiola's squad for next season rather than heading back to River Plate or to another European club on loan.
Two new strikers will excite the fans but it will also make certain players take stock. City were effectively a body light in that department for the second half of this season after Ferran Torres was sold to Barcelona in a move where the money made it too good to turn down, yet Guardiola does not like to operate with big squads.
Also read: Barcelona transfer plans could affect Man City summer strategy again
If two players are coming in, it stands to reason that at least one will be heading out the door given the new arrivals will make it harder for everyone else to get minutes. There is also Jack Grealish to consider, the £100m signing who appeared to be finding his feet at the end of a tricky first campaign who received public reassurance from the chairman this week that he has the full confidence of the club.
That makes three who can all expect more game time - even accounting for Torres, that will still feed into the thoughts of three forwards who have just 12 months remaining on their existing deals: Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, and Riyad Mahrez. When that is weighed up, it is little wonder at least one is set to leave the squad this summer but all would be significant departures.
Jesu
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