Three deals, one direction

Manchester City's summer of renewal wasn't just about new faces. Three existing ones — Jérémy Doku, Joško Gvardiol and Abdukodir Khusanov — all signed extensions that tie them to the club until 2031.

Hugo Viana, the man overseeing that process, has been explaining why each signature mattered. The short version: City have locked down a winger they believe is now among the world's best, a defender who can play almost anywhere, and a centre-back they think will grow into one of the finest around.

Doku's rise

Doku was the headline act of the trio. Viana was candid about the Belgian's trajectory, noting that he was "really important last season" and that he "made another step in terms of performance, especially in the last six months".

That progress has shifted perceptions. "He's one of the best wingers in the world now," Viana added, before confirming the obvious: "We are really happy we could reach an agreement with him for five years."

For a player who arrived from Rennes with plenty of promise but a reputation for raw inconsistency, the transformation has been sharp. The new deal runs to 2031, and Doku was promptly welcomed back into the matchday squad to face Sunderland at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon — a reminder that the future starts now.

Gvardiol's versatility

If Doku's extension felt inevitable, Gvardiol's was a touch more complex given the Croatian's growing importance. Viana admitted there was quiet confidence throughout. "We were really confident we were going to reach an agreement because he really wants to stay and be an important player," he said.

That desire has been evident in his performances. Viana pointed to Gvardiol's ability to fill multiple roles — "doing so well as a centre back and left back and sometimes as a number 10 or midfielder" — and labelled him "a very versatile player with unbelievable mentality".

Those words carry extra weight after Gvardiol's stoppage-time winner in the season opener at home to Bournemouth. A defender deciding a tight game in the dying moments is precisely the kind of contribution that justifies a long-term commitment.

Khusanov's potential

The third deal, for Khusanov, is the most speculative on paper. The Uzbek centre-back arrived from Lens in January 2025 and has had to adapt quickly to a new league and a new language. Viana acknowledged the raw materials were obvious from the start: "We all knew when we brought him about his physicality."

But he also stressed the longer view. "We all believed he could be a really important player," Viana said, "because he was young and had only been in France for a short time. He's still developing, has to learn — we feel sure he can be one of the best centre backs in the world."

That is a bold projection, but City have never been shy about backing youth with time. The 2031 expiry gives Khusanov room to grow without the pressure of an imminent decision.

Three deals, three different stages of development, one clear message: City are building for the long haul. And in a summer when the squad has already seen significant change, tying down this trio feels like a statement of intent.