Now that Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed himself that he will depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, Manchester City have the nigh-on impossible task of identifying the rightful heir to his throne.
While one school of thought might be that Phil Foden can simply step into De Bruyne’s shoes like he did last season, it might take more than one player to help replace a potentially irreplaceable stalwart like the Belgian.
Manchester City have approached Florian Wirtz as they view the Bayer Leverkusen phenom as a potentially cracking successor to the six-time Premier League winner’s throne but it will be easier said than done to sign him.
Wirtz’s future at Leverkusen is uncertain as he could either extend his contract or make a move to either Manchester City or Bayern Munich.
Manchester City admire Morgan Gibbs-White as well — who has shown this season that he is one of the Premier League’s best attacking midfielders.
- READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes has his say on Kevin De Bruyne leaving Man City right after 0-0 draw vs Man United
Man City targeting Morgan Gibbs-White as Kevin De Bruyne replacement
But David Ornstein has now revealed that Manchester City like Gibbs-White to the extent that they have shortlisted the Nottingham Forest virtuoso as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.
Ornstein also claimed that City’s primary priority in the summer transfer window could be to sign a brand-new number 10 to replace De Bruyne.
Speaking to NBC Sports, David Ornstein said: “Manchester City are embarking on a huge rebuild now and it will be without their talismanic player and that’s why the focus of their recruitment will probably center on that position, the number 10.”
“The likes of Morgan Gibbs-White in the Premier League will be among the names on their radar. So too Florian Wirtz if you look across the continent and Bayer Leverkusen.”
How highly Pep Guardiola rates Morgan Gibbs-White
Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of Morgan Gibbs-White and perhaps the Catalan manager feels that he has what it takes to replace De Bruyne.
In March, the Manchester City boss was full of praise for Gibbs-White, as he said via talkSPORT: “They defend really well, are compact and aggressive. The players up front create many things.”
“Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga are exceptional players. Ola Aina is an exceptional player. He can play on both sides. Elliot Anderson is physical and a top player as well.”
