A window of necessity rather than want

When the transfer window opened on 15 June, Manchester City knew the scale of the task. Bernardo Silva and John Stones were gone, their contracts expired, and the squad needed more than a tweak. What followed was a summer of movement that took until deadline day to fully take shape.

By the time the window slammed shut, City had banked £290 million in player sales. The departures went beyond the two veterans. Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, James Trafford, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Nico Gonzalez all left, each a regular in Pep Guardiola's squad last season. Add in Issa Kabore, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Reigan Heskey, and the figures sourced from Squawka paint a picture of a club in transition.

Why the exits happened

Some of those moves were straightforward. James Trafford wanted to be a first-choice keeper elsewhere. Rodri wanted to return to Spain, and eventually got his wish. Others were less about desire than necessity, the natural churn of a squad being rebuilt on the fly.

The outbound traffic was balanced by a significant loan programme. Divin Mubama, Divine Mukasa, Max Alleyne, Christian McFarlane, Stephen Mfuni, Sverre Nypan, Oliver Whatmuff, Jaden Heskey and Charlie Gray all went out, as did new signings Pierce Charles and Jeremy Monga. Strategic moves, the club said, to aid their growth and development.

The money in

The big spending came in bursts. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest for £116 million. An 18-year-old midfield sensation from Lille cost up to £85 million. Then, as per David Ornstein's report for The Athletic, City agreed to pay Chelsea £125 million for Enzo Fernandez. Brazilian winger Allan joined from Palmeiras, and experienced goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli arrived from Marseille. Young wingers Mathys Detourbet and Jeremy Monga, alongside goalkeeper Pierce Charles, were also brought in.

Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye is on the verge of finalising a move from Everton, though that one, like Fernandez, went down to deadline day.

Not the ideal plan

In an ideal world, City wouldn't have wanted to sign both Fernandez and Ndiaye on deadline day. The World Cup in the middle of the summer slowed everything down, and the club's bid to bolster the squad took longer than anticipated. The window was eventful and took time to come together.

In the end, City achieved what they needed to. It just wasn't always pretty getting there.