Pep Guardiola is reportedly preparing to offload up to eight players following Manchester City’s Champions League exit, including a previously untouchable star.

Pep Guardiola is reportedly planning a ruthless overhaul of his squad, with up to eight Manchester City players set to be sold following their disappointing Champions League exit.

After losing 3-2 at home in the first leg of their last-16 clash against reigning champions Real Madrid, City needed a big performance at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, their hopes were dashed as Kylian Mbappe’s hat trick made a comeback impossible, despite a late goal from winter signing Nico González.

In response to the defeat, a new report claims Guardiola has lost patience with eight key players and is preparing for a major summer clear-out. Following a busy winter transfer window that saw City bring in Omar Marmoush, Nico González, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis, their focus now appears to be on departures.

According to The Daily Star, the club is considering selling Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, and Jack Grealish. While Gundogan and Walker—who moved on loan to AC Milan in January—were expected to leave permanently, De Bruyne’s inclusion on the list will come as a major shock to fans.

Since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015, the Belgian midfielder has played a crucial role in City’s dominance, making over 400 appearances and contributing to 278 goals. However, at 33, injuries have hampered his form, and with his £400,000-a-week contract expiring this summer, City are reportedly set to let him leave as a free agent.

Similarly, Silva, Stones, Kovacic, Gundogan, Ederson, and Walker are believed to be past their peak, with City keen to reduce their wage bill to make way for fresh talent. Meanwhile, Grealish, despite still being in his prime at 29, has struggled to justify his record-breaking transfer from Aston Villa and could also be on his way out.