Etihad Stadium officials have likely compiled a comprehensive list of potential replacements for Kevin De Bruyne, who has been a cornerstone of Manchester City’s success since joining in 2015. De Bruyne, with 388 appearances to his name, has played a key role in the club’s rise to dominance, securing 16 trophies, 103 goals, and 171 assists across all competitions.
Replacing the 33-year-old will be one of Manchester City’s most challenging recruitment tasks, and their search has reportedly led them to the Bundesliga. City is said to be closely monitoring talents such as RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala as potential long-term successors.
However, Bayern Munich appears determined to keep Musiala. According to Sky Germany, contract extension talks between the club and the 21-year-old are a top priority, with both sides keen on an agreement. Musiala is currently under contract until 2026, but Bayern aims to extend it until 2029 or 2030, with a potential salary of up to €25 million per year, including bonuses. The report also notes that Musiala is not in discussions with other European giants like Real Madrid or Manchester City at this time.
While City continues its search for De Bruyne’s successor, the club’s immediate focus is on keeping him at the Etihad beyond this season. Pep Guardiola has made it clear that De Bruyne will be given time and space to make his own decision regarding his future. Over the summer, Guardiola told reporters, “He has earned the right to decide his future. What he’s done for Manchester City is massive, and that’s why he gets to choose.”
Guardiola himself is another key figure the club hopes to retain, with reports suggesting that a contract extension for the manager may not be far off, as he continues to consider his options privately alongside his family.
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