A significant transfer signal is given by the Man City defender’s Olympic call-up, which keeps him out of preseason games.

One of the few first-team players still in Manchester City’s preseason roster, defender Sergio Gomez, has just been given a lifeline with Spain on the international scene.

Sergio Gomez, a defender for Manchester City, has been called up to the Spanish squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris; this could be the last game he plays for the Blues. As a result, Gomez will not play for the team during preseason.

Gomez had the opportunity to gain some much-needed game time in preseason action if he wanted to attempt and move up the Etihad hierarchy, since he was one of only a few senior players left out of their national team rosters for the Copa America or Euro 2024

The full-back, who plays forward for his nation, has been linked to a summer transfer after being largely inactive during his two seasons at City. In six Premier League games during the previous season, he only played 47 minutes. Given that he is now unable to participate in the preseason tour, he may have played his final match for the team if he decides to relocate before or after the Olympics.

Gomez, 23, was a regular for Spain’s under-21 team while he was eligible, finishing the U21 European Championship as the tournament’s co-top scorer while playing as a winger last summer. Despite not having made his senior debut and being too old to play for the under-21s, he scored 10 goals in 19 under-21 games.

However, under-23 athletes are welcome to compete in the Olympics, with three spaces set aside for athletes older than 23. With the majority of Spain’s international players representing their clubs at the Euros, Gomez holds one of those berths. Adrian Bernabe and Eric Garcia, two former City academy players, are also on the team.

While Bernabe was released by the Blues in 2021 and later joined Enzo Maresca at Parma, Garcia earned his full international debut while helping Girona qualify for the Champions League while on loan from Barcelona. After making 87 appearances for the Italian team and scoring 15 goals, he has been linked to a big-money transfer this summer. The Olympics could spark more interest in him.

Gomez will miss all preseason games if Spain advances to the final stages of the competition and wins a medal. Spain plays Egypt, the Dominican Republic, and Uzbekistan while City is in the United States for preseason play. The final is scheduled for the same day as the Blues play Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Reports also state that Julian Alvarez may represent Argentina in the Olympics, although clubs have the option to prohibit their players from being called up because the tournament is not a FIFA international window. Gomez celebrated his call-up on social media, implying that City had given its approval.

That would suggest he isn’t necessarily included in Pep Guardiola’s preseason plans, which raises the possibility of him leaving the Etihad. “A dream…,” he wrote. 2024 in Paris! To be able to represent [Spain] at the Olympic Games makes me happy and proud.”