January 1 heralds the opening of the winter transfer window and attention turns to who could join Manchester City to help them out of their injury crisis.

Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract so can start his rebuild over the next two years and leave City in a position to continue winning titles when he has left.

Central to his success over the previous nine years has been a core of club legends, including Kevin De Bruyne, who was at the club before the manager arrived.

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However, De Bruyne is at the end of his contract and told reporters this week that talks over a new deal have still not started. He remains calm over the situation and said in November that he wants to get over his injury issues before discussing his future.

But waiting until the New Year means De Bruyne is now also able to formally discuss terms with other clubs over a move in the summer on a free transfer.

In 2024 he admitted that a lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabia would interest him if the figures were so much that they would set up his family for life, although he denied speaking to any representatives from the Saudi Pro League about his future.

Also out of contract is Ilkay Gundogan, who returned last year after 12 months at Barcelona. His form has suffered due to being overplayed amid City's injury crisis, and there will be a decision to make in the summer over whether to trigger the additional year in his contract.

Gundogan's form, fitness and the overall health of the City midfield will be part of the call. Like De Bruyne, he could theoretically explore other contract options until that second year is triggered.

Third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson is the final player out of contract in the summer. City have tended to let the veteran run down his deal before making any decision over an extension at the end of the campaign. Guardiola values his role in the dressing room but the time may come soon where an alternative arrangement must be made for that squad place as Carson turns 40 at the start of next season.

To add to the complication of the contract situations, City have the option to offer the trio temporary extensions to cover the FIFA Club World Cup which runs over the June 30 expiration dates of most contracts. FIFA have changed rules to allow clubs to keep players into the first fortnight of the 2025/26 season to finish the tournament and not disrupt their ability to then play for another club next season.

So in practice, that could mean De Bruyne, Gundogan and Carson agree to push back the end-dates of their contracts before leaving on a free in the summer if the decision is taken not to sign new deals.