Manchester City fans are facing up to the reality that Kevin De Bruyne will not be at the club next season – but the club are determined to land one man to potentially be the Belgian’s replacement.
Last week, De Bruyne announced he’d be leaving Man City at the end of the season when his contract expires.
The development left many City fans devastated, with some feeling De Bruyne perhaps still had another season in him at the top level.
He has been one of the great Premier League players, and him moving on after 10 years has been too much for some to deal with.
City now have to try and replace the output of De Bruyne.
Morgan Gibbs-White is an option for City this summer, but some fans are not keen to see that particular move come to fruition.
But another player on the club’s radar is Florian Wirtz, and Manchester City News is told the club are determined to land the German this summer.
Man City want ‘generational talent’ Florian Wirtz and fear this summer could be last chance to sign him
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has told Manchester City News that Wirtz is a player City are extremely keen to sign this summer.
“City do not see Florian Wirtz as your normal summer target. They believe he is a generational talent and he is one they want. But more importantly, they know he is also one who is open to joining them.
“Obviously the big issue is getting the deal done and they are fully aware that Bayern Munich are pushing hard – their dream is to secure a Wirtz-Musiala dream duo as the heart of their side going forward.
“But City are working hard, they have been for years. They want him and sources confirm that they wanted him, whether Kevin De Bruyne was staying or going.
“Wirtz is just a player they would go for, no matter the make-up of their squad – yes, there is seemingly room in their squad, but they would make room for him, no doubt.
“In terms of whether they can afford him. He is one of those players, of which there are very, very few in City’s eyes – that they would push the green light for, and will make it work.
“Given the interest from Bayern and quite possibly Real Madrid, City understand that this could be the only chance to land Wirtz – he could stay at his next club for ten years, and again they realise that.
“They want Wirtz, and Wirtz knows it – he does like the idea of City, and that is a major reason they are on his trail – they would not be making a push to this extent, if he was not interested. He is.
Wirtz should be Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne successor
At this point, there is little doubt about Wirtz’s quality.
The 21-year-old is the kind of creative output machine that City need to be all over this summer, as the club prepare to bid farewell to the legendary De Bruyne.
This season, Wirtz has 15 goals and 13 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions. His tally of 10 assists in the Bundesliga is bettered by no other player.
As per fbref data, Wirtz has a shot-creating actions per 90 stat of 5.90 this season. For context, De Bruyne’s is 7.36, so he’s really not far off the Belgian’s level of creativity at all.
The club have liked him for a long time now. So with De Bruyne leaving, it feels like the perfect time for City to finally swoop.
