Manchester City Transfer News: Roberts on Loan to Girona, Denayer to Join Lyon

Two weeks remain in the Summer 2018 European Transfer Window, and whilst England’s closed earlier this month, two more athletes will depart from the English Premier League.

After months of speculation, Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts and Jason Denayer will be leaving the Mancunian club, albeit in different circumstances.

In the case of Patrick Roberts, it seems the young Englishman may still be part of Manchester City’s future plans. After joining the Blues in 2015 from Fulham, the young midfielder spent three successful years on loan in Scotland, where he won the Scottish Premiership with Celtic.

Despite these successes, however, he still was unable to break into City’s first team. Anxiously seeking playing time, the Englishman looked at other options. It appears, however, that Roberts may still be in City’s future plans. On 16 August, it was announced he would join Spanish club Girona FC on loan for the 2018/19 season.

This is particularly important as Girona is part of the City Football Group, a corporation that has formed a financial network with several clubs throughout the world. The group, ran by Manchester City, saw Girona join in 2017. Since their partnership, the Blues have sent several of their academy players on loan. Roberts will be accompanied by fellow teammate Aleix García, who joined the club on loan earlier this month.

Jason Denayer, on the other hand, will see his time expire in Manchester. The Belgian defender has been on loan over the past four seasons, and despite his role at these various clubs, he was unable to impress at City. After years of frustration and his inability to break into the first team, the young defender has decided to move on. According to reports, he is set for a medical with French club Olympique Lyonnais and will join Les Gones on a permanent deal.

It is unknown if City will include a buy-back clause, but it is unlikely he will return. Lyon finished third in Ligue 1 last season, and thus will compete in the 2018/19 Champions League. Given recent developments, it seems Denayer may flourish at his new club.

Now, with two weeks remaining in the window, this leaves just Oleksandr Zinchenko and Brahim Díaz to make a decision with City in regard to the 2018/19 season. Albeit both players have stated they want to remain at City and fight for their place, one may never know what future will hold.