Man City can avoid repeat of Ilkay Gundogan saga by resolving two players' futures this summer

For the second year running, Manchester City's captain has left the club. It happened twice in the previous three seasons, and others have used a dwindling contract to leave on a free transfer.

City like to play ahead, tying down key players to long-term contracts wherever possible. That isn't possible for some players though, especially the older ones in the squad, who may want to keep their options open with one final big contract in mind.

It's why Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero and now Ilkay Gundogan allowed their contracts to run down. If they can get more security elsewhere other than one-year options at City, it makes sense. And City aren't tied into an ageing player for longer than they need to be.

Saying that, City have lost their influential captain on a free transfer to Barcelona. However much Gundogan will leave with the club's blessing, they clearly wanted to keep him for at least another year and have therefore lost out on a key player and also a transfer fee.

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Looking ahead, then, City can avoid the chance of a contract saga next summer by addressing the two senior players who are out of contract in 2024.

First up is Rico Lewis, the exciting 18-year-old who looks to have a fine future at the Etihad. Talk of a contract extension has been floating around for months, and it feels unlikely that City would allow him to get to a stage in 12 months where he would be available on a free transfer.

Perhaps the more likely player to be in Gundogan's shoes next season would be Kyle Walker, who will soon enter the final year of his contract. Talks have taken place with Bayern Munich over a transfer in the current