Manchester City identify 21-year-old Bundesliga playmaker as Kevin De Bruyne successor – Issues over 2024 summer move

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly identified a breakthrough talent in Germany’s Bundesliga as a potential long-term Kevin De Bruyne successor.

The future of the Belgian international remains somewhat uncertain despite his remarkable impact on Pep Guardiola’s team during the second-half of the ongoing season since returning from injury.

Across the course of the ongoing season, De Bruyne has provided an outstanding six goals and 18 assists across 24 appearances in all competitions, all of which have come since the turn of the calendar year with the exception of the season’s opener and FA Community Shield.

However, De Bruyne’s current Manchester City contract is due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, and with no renewal talks currently in place, clubs from across the globe are gaining hope of an opportunity to sign the midfielder.

In the meantime, Manchester City are putting together contingency plans for a possible De Bruyne exit in the coming seasons, as they eye a number of talents that could be viewed as the ideal replacements for the 32-year-old.

According to the information of CaughtOffside, City have their eyes on Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz to replace Kevin De Bruyne, should the Belgian leave the club. However, there will be difficulties in luring the German from the Bundesliga this summer.

Alongside the Premier League champions, the report states that Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid are also monitoring Wirtz, but Leverkusen are not willing to sell the Germany international star ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

With that being said, the report does hint towards some minor hope for potential suitors ahead of the forthcoming summer market, stating that offers of €150 million may change the minds of those working around Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga conquering squad.

As for Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City vice-captain is widely understood to be a priority target for ambitious officials in the Saudi Arabian Pro League, who could look to sanction a transfer fee north of €100 million for the midfielder this summer.

De Bruyne is also likely to be targeted by the wealthier clubs in Major League Soccer, with the understanding in some quarters being that the midfielder would prefer a move to the United States over the Middle-East, was he to ever leave the Etihad Stadium.

Regardless of the future of Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City are likely to invest in their midfield ranks in the coming summer months, with Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes known to be two profiles of interest to Etihad bosses.