This is because Man City cannot afford to have players in their squad that are considered dead weight because of the squad reduction they face. Not to mention that these players just aren't good enough for the ambitions that Man City have.
I would suggest that so any English departures would indicate some incoming English players and hazarding a guess I would have to think along the lines of Llana, Shaw and possibly even Sterling.
As for the list of released players I would probably take any of them. Although I'm not keen in signing players of an older age unless it is an exception to the rule or a goalkeeper.
Richards would be an amazing capture but way out our league and more likely a Everton calibre player.
At least we have things to offer now that we maybe didn't before. Improvement of worldwide audience, some top players, got the best out of signings such as Davies , Livermore and Huddlestone, FA Cup final etc