The next two transfer windows will be significant for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City as they look to rebuild a squad that has run its course.

City have been the most successful club in England over the last several years, but this season appears to be the end of an era. They have won just nine of their 19 Premier League games so far and sit sixth in the standings, 14 points off league leaders Liverpool.

Rodri's injury has played a significant part in City's struggles, but the ageing and struggling players in his absence means decisions need to be made in January and in the summer. A handful of players are out of contract at the end of the current season, while others no longer have age on their side.

READ MORE: Top talent, striker solution, familiar face - Man City could soon agree three blockbuster transfers

READ MORE: We are seeing something new from Pep Guardiola - Man City fans will enjoy it

Kevin de Bruyne, who has been one of the driving forces behind City's success, faces an uncertain future at the Etihad. He is out of contract in the summer, and the Belgium international told The Independent over the weekend that discussions over a new deal are yet to resume.

Ilkay Gundogan initially left City for Barcelona in 2023, but spent one season in La Liga before he was a free agent once again. He signed a year long deal with City back in the summer and will be out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

Bernardo Silva, 30, will have one year left on his current deal in the summer. The Portuguese international was linked with Barcelona throughout the last transfer window, but a move never materialised.

Silva could yet sign a new deal, but he is among those that have struggled to maintain good form this season. He only signed a short-term extension in 2023, so that could be the way forward for City if they want to avoid losing almost their entire midfield in one go, or he could see out his contract and move on in 2026 as a free agent.

There are less pressing concerns around Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes due to the length of their current deals, but they have been part of City's struggling midfield this season. Kovacic will also turn 31 at the end of the campaign, while Nunes is the youngest of the group.

In terms of possible reinforcements, it seems Guardiola already has his eyes on his ideal players. A recent report from The Times suggests Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is a possible target, as is Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, although both come with a significant price-tag and are unlikely to move in January.

Joshua Kimmich, Atalanta's Ederson and Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand have been more tentatively linked, with no concrete reports so far. But, each would be solid additions in January.