Kevin De Bruyne Exit: 3 Excellent Replacements

We are still a few weeks away from the end of the season, but transfer buzz is already gathering momentum. But Manchester City has been strangely missing from the transfer chatter. Speculation about who would replace seemingly Saudi-bound Ederson is all we have heard concerning the Sky Blues so far.

Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from the Etihad at the end of the season will leave a gap in Man City’s attack. Currently, they do not have a creative midfielder in De Bruyne’s mold. Phil Foden was thought to be the one who would pick up the slack, but that experiment hasn’t produced the desired results. The Ilkay Gündoğan who returned from Barcelona is a pale shadow of the one who City signed from Borussia Dortmund. 

This means Head Coach Pep Guardiola’s scouts are likely to be sizing up prospective number 10s across Europe and beyond. Here are some of the replacements who could fill De Bruyne’s outsized cleats. 

Tijjani Reijnders

AC Milan have had a largely miserable Serie A campaign that could end without European football next season. One of the few silver linings has been the performance of Tijjani Reijnders in midfield. He has been a consistent goal threat for the Rossoneri, notching 10 goals and 4 assists so far. Only Christian Pulisic has topped these stats among Sergio Conceição’s players.    

Prying the 26-year-old from Milan’s grasp might prove costly for the Citizens as he inked an extension to 2030 in March. Obtaining Reijnders’ signature may force the Man City hierarchy to break the transfer fee record at AC Milan, currently held by Kaká ($70 million).

Rayan Cherki

Lyon’s attacking midfield sensation has attracted attention across the continent with his nonchalant dribbling and finishing ability. Cherki’s assist record will be of particular interest to Guardiola (10 so far this season) as that is De Bruyne’s main forte. Manchester City’s cross-town rivals will be all too familiar with Cherki’s eye for goal. His extra-time goal almost dumped Man U out of the Europa League. 

Besides his abundant talent, Cherki has time on his side. He is only 21 years old, yet he has years of experience. Just the raw materials Guardiola needs to make another Premier League star.   

Florian Wirtz

The German creative powerhouse was one of the key components in the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen squad that won the Bundesliga last season. Die Werkself have been unable to replicate their 2023-24 success, but Wirtz’s consistency has helped them secure Champions League football for next season. If he proved himself an assist machine last season, he has outdone himself this term. He is also a reliable goal threat.

With Head Coach Xabi Alonso leaving at the end of the season, Leverkusen is poised for a transitory period. Man City can pounce on the ensuing uncertainty to place a bid for their most creative player. 

Plenty Of Fish

Guardiola has quite a few other options to consider if these three prove too expensive or don’t quite fit into his footballing philosophy to replace De Bruyne. Como’s rising star, Nico Paz, has been a revelation in Serie A and is at the right age to be molded and sharpened. 

Xavi Simmons has been performing consistently since his return to the Bundesliga. He also brings plenty of Champions League experience. Guardiola may also consider restoring Morgan Rogers to the City roster following his breakout season under Unai Emery at Villa Park.