Manchester City set to miss out on number one Kevin De Bruyne replacement target | OneFootball

New reports emerging from Germany are indicating that Manchester City are set for disappointment in their chase for the ideal Kevin De Bruyne replacement.

The Belgium international will be leaving the Etihad Stadium upon the conclusion of the ongoing season after Manchester City officials opted not to offer the player renewed terms to his expiring contract at the club.

As such, De Bruyne will be bringing an end to a 10-year stay at Manchester City either after the ongoing Premier League season, midway through the FIFA Club World Cup venture in the United States, or after the latter tournament should a short-term contract extension be agreed.

Either way, Etihad Stadium officials are searching for a long-term successor to De Bruyne within Pep Guardiola’s squad, with only a select few players currently being mooted by various outlets across Europe.

Among the names to have been most strongly linked and believed to have been Manchester City’s number one target for the role is Florian Wirtz. However, it seems as though the four-in-a-row Premier League champions could be in line for disappointment concerning the German.

According to the information of journalist Christian Falk, Bayern Munich and Wirtz have now agreed on a transfer to the Allianz for the German international, with the Bundesliga champions wanting to offer Bayer Leverkusen €100 million for a deal this summer.

It is however stressed that Wirtz could yet wait until the summer of 2026 for his move should no agreement be reached between the two clubs, with his Leverkusen contract running until the summer of 2027.

Should Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen reach an agreement on the finances of a move, Manchester City will need to revert their attentions in the market elsewhere as soon as possible as the summer window approaches.

Among the names to have also been linked with Etihad Stadium interest is Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, who could command an enormous price tag given his importance to the City Ground club.

There has already been indications in various quarters that discussions over personal terms between the player and Etihad officials will not be difficult, although it remains to be seen how high of a transfer fee could be required to tempt Forest into a sale.