Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City players to prove their worth in the next three months before continuing talks with those who are out of contract, via theTelegraph.
Guardiola is willing to risk midfielder Yaya Toure, defenders Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, winger Jesus Navas and goalkeeper Willy Caballero leaving on frees as all are outof contract this summer.
The only exception is England under 19 defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who City are currently in talks with over a new deal.
While some are securing summer moves, Guardiola has insisted the talks will continue when they have proved to be worth their new deals.
We'll make the decision at the end of the season,� the City manager said. They have to try to keep going, to convince me every day.
There are six players out of contract but they know the situation. Of course there is a risk, maybe they can sign a contract for another club and we have to accept that. But we are going to decide in the last months of the season.
I don't know [if they are talking to other clubs] because I don't speak with the agents, I speak with Txiki Begiristain [City's director of football] so I don't know if they speak, maybe they can speak because the agent's job is to do that.�
The futures of Aleksandar Kolarov and Fernando are also uncertain with the pair moving into the final 12 months of their contracts this summer. Fernandinho's contract is also set to expire in June 2018, but the Brazilian has already held talks over a new deal.
In addition to this potential clear out, Manchester City have a long list of highly-rated players out on loan who are expected to leave at the end of the season if the right offers are made.
Samir Nasri, currently on loan at Sevilla, defender Eliaquim Mangala, who is on loan at Valencia, Joe Hart on loan at Torino and striker Wilfried Bony at Stoke City could all leave the club.
Jason Denayer, the Belgium defender on loan at Sunderland, may also go, despite signing a five-year contract with City in 2015.
Sergio Aguero's future has been a hot topic with the striker claiming he has been given no private assurances that the club want him to stay. Guardiola, however, insists that the Argentine is happy at the club and showed his frustration at the constant questioning over the subject.
He said: I spoke 10 times about that, ten times,� he said. You know my opinion. I cannot answer every single press conference about Sergio Aguero. He is so happy, I am so happy. We are happy. 10 times I answer. No more please.�