Manchester City’s long-term squad planning continues to take shape after the announcement of Savinho’s new six-year deal. The Brazilian winger, who only weeks ago was linked with Tottenham, has committed his future to the Etihad after City blocked an approach from Spurs. Having missed the opening weeks of the campaign through injury, Savinho is now back in the first-team picture and rewarded with fresh terms.
His deal follows extensions for academy products Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly, both of which were confirmed on Friday nights earlier this season. With that trio secured, City have most of their emerging talents tied down until at least 2028. Yet, there are still some big questions looming for key senior players.
John Stones: decision time
The most immediate concern is John Stones, whose contract expires in summer 2026. A cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s defence when fit, Stones has battled injuries that limited his impact last season. At 31, City must weigh the value of extending a proven leader against the risks of committing long-term to a player with recurring fitness issues.
Losing Stones for free would represent a blow both on and off the pitch, but a renewal will depend on how his body holds up in the coming months.
Bernardo Silva: clock ticking on a star
Club captain Bernardo Silva is contracted until 2026 and recently hinted that he “knows exactly” what he wants to do with his future. Long linked with moves to Spain and Paris, the Portugal international remains pivotal to Guardiola’s system, providing versatility and leadership. The uncertainty over his decision adds pressure to City’s board to finalise plans before speculation intensifies.
Rodri and Foden: the 2027 dilemma
While there is no immediate danger of contracts expiring, the two biggest long-term decisions involve Rodri and Phil Foden, both tied until 2027.
Rodri, widely regarded as the best defensive midfielder in world football, endured a disrupted campaign last season but remains the heartbeat of City’s control in midfield. Foden, meanwhile, experienced a dip in form after years of steady progress but is still one of England’s brightest attacking talents.
At their best, both would walk into almost any starting XI in Europe. City cannot afford to let negotiations drag, especially after watching Liverpool wrestle with uncertainty over Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in their final contract years.
“City will want to avoid the distraction of big names entering their final seasons with unresolved futures.” — FootballPlace analysis
Current contract picture
| Contract expiry | Manchester City players |
|---|---|
| 2026 | John Stones, Stefan Ortega, Marcus Bettinelli, Bernardo Silva |
| 2027 | Mateo Kovačić, Nathan Aké, Rodri, Phil Foden |
| 2028+ | Rico Lewis, Nico O’Reilly, Savinho |
source: club contract data – 4 October 2025
The table shows why contract talks with Stones, Bernardo, Foden and Rodri will dominate City’s agenda in the coming months.
Analyst verdict: Protecting the core
John William, FootballPlace analyst, argues that securing Rodri and Foden must be the club’s top priority:
“City have learned from watching Liverpool struggle with contract distractions. Rodri and Foden are essential to Guardiola’s future planning, and the board must act early. Stones and Bernardo present more complex cases given age and outside interest, but losing either without a clear succession plan would leave holes in leadership.”
He added: “Savinho’s new deal shows City are proactive with their younger stars. The next step is ensuring the spine of the team — midfield and defence — remains intact through the peak Guardiola years.”
Key insights
- Savinho signs six-year extension weeks after Spurs interest.
- Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly also committed long-term earlier this season.
- John Stones’ contract ends in 2026; decision needed soon.
- Captain Bernardo Silva out of contract in 2026 and weighing options.
- Rodri and Foden tied until 2027, but early renewals are essential.
What’s next for Manchester City?
City’s immediate focus is on Stones’ situation, with discussions expected before the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva’s future is likely to be clarified within the year, given his importance to Guardiola’s setup.
Looking further ahead, contract talks with Foden and Rodri will set the tone for City’s stability. Both players represent the next generation of leaders, and securing their loyalty would prevent unwanted distractions during crucial title challenges and Champions League campaigns.
👉 Should Manchester City prioritise renewing Rodri and Foden now, or resolve Stones and Bernardo Silva’s contracts first?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 4 Oct 2025 07:36
Stones once fit is one of the key players, the most important squad player based on this article and the contract should be Rodri, but he has been struggling as well with his recent injurys.
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