Man City could be set for seven-player exodus with Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan among them

With a treble triumph in the bag, there’s plenty of fear that Manchester City’s dominance of English football may only just be getting started.

However, for a number of their star players, a career peak may be the impetus to finally move on from the Etihad, while some of their teammates have other motives.

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Part of manager Pep Guardiola’s ability to end his 12-year wait for another Champions League trophy was a settled team and formation, making his options for the run-in and final against Inter pretty much set in stone, meaning no need for overthinking.

However, his hopes of continuing the stellar 3-2-4-1 hybrid formation that picked up almost every trophy on offer could be knocked by some high-profile departures.

With a number of players’ futures already in doubt, another has been added to the list, with talkSPORT understanding that defender Kyle Walker is wanted by boyhood club Sheffield United.

The Blades are back in the Premier League, and at 33, Walker may be running out of time for a return, with a year left on his current contract.

The rapid full-back is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, and is said to be upset by his diminished role in City’s treble campaign, which saw him left out of the finale in Istanbul.

The departure would certainly be a blow, but with Guardiola seemingly already moving on from Walker, it would be nowhere near as big a loss as two potential midfield goodbyes.

Bernardo Silva, 28, has long been linked with an exit, and was even seen during the bus parade with Jack Grealish who appeared to be begging him to stay.

Grealish isn’t the only teammate who has commented on Silva’s potential departure, but they may struggle to hold on, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly singling him out as Lionel Messi’s replacement.

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There’s also been a number of colleagues publicly pleading with captain Ilkay Gundogan, 32, to stay put, but with his contract now up, a move to Arsenal or Barcelona is looking increasingly likely.

Elsewhere in midfield, Kalvin Phillips, 27, has been linked to Liverpool after managing only three starts for City in his debut season, while youth team captain Shea Charles is being eyed by a number of Bundesliga sides, and City may fear another Jadon Sancho situation.

At the back, Spain international Aymeric Laporte, 29, seems set for a move to Barcelona after dropping way down the Etihad pecking order, and up front Riyad Mahrez, 32, is another star wanted by Saudi clubs and open to a move.

It would be no surprise at all to see City flex their gigantic financial muscle to repair holes in the team, with West Ham’s Declan Rice already being linked.

However, as we saw with Liverpool after their quadruple challenging 2021/22 campaign, failing to prepare and being caught cold can be hugely damaging as the chasing pack plots your demise.