Pep Guardiola has “already found” Kevin De Bruyne’s replacement for Man City – and according to the Daily Mail, this will send shockwaves through Europe
The Belgian Manchester City legend announced that he will leave the Premier League champions after the 2024/25 season. Manchester City have already identified the player who could replace Kevin De Bruyne in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
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De Bruyne, 33, is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time in the Premier League, but has suffered a marked dip in form during the 2024/25 season – although he has still managed four goals and seven assists in 31 appearances.
On Friday (4 August), De Bruyne confirmed the news many had been expecting, as he explained on social media that the next few months will be his last at Man City.
“When you read this, you probably understand where this is going,” De Bruyne wrote in a statement.
“So I’ll get straight to the point and tell you that these will be my last months as a Manchester City player.
None of this is easy to write, but as footballers, we all know that this day will eventually come. It’s here now – and you deserve to hear it from me first.
Football brought me to you – and to this city. I chased a dream, not knowing that this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And you know what? We won everything.
Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are incredibly grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever stand on our children’s passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
This will always be OUR HOME.
We can’t thank the city, the club, the staff, the teammates, the friends and the family enough for this 10-year journey.”
But who will replace the six-time Premier League winner next season?
According to The Mail, City have named Germany and Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz as the man who can try to fill the void in Guardiola’s squad.
Wirtz, 21, who has nine goals and ten assists in the Bundesliga this season, is reportedly valued at over £85 million and has two years left on his contract with Xabi Alonso’s side.
But City could face competition from the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid if they want to sign the German this summer.
A potential purchase of Wirtz would follow City’s recent trend of signing players aged 25 or under to lower the average age of the squad – with the likes of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nicolás González, all brought in in the winter window, fitting this description.
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Florian Wirtz is worth €140 million, according to Transfermarkt.
