Man City exodus: ‘Big names set to follow De Bruyne through exit door’
Pep Guardiola played a large part in the decision to let Kevin de Bruyne leave Man City upon the expiry of his contract this summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the boss is aiming to re-establish a hard-working, high-intensity midfield.
As a result, 33-year-old De Bruyne has been allowed to leave the club while question marks remain over the likes of Ilkay Gundogan at the Etihad.
In place of the Belgium international, City are aiming to sign somebody who can give them that energy and work-rate in midfield which has been lost over the last year.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 15 April that Man City want to sign Morgan Gibbs-White and will hold preliminary talks with Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed that Man City are eyeing four De Bruyne replacements, with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz on their list alongside Gibbs-White.
Pep Guardiola role in Kevin de Bruyne axe revealed at Man City
Football Insider revealed that De Bruyne is deluged with offers from clubs across Europe as well as the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, explained that Guardiola had to make
“Pep Guardiola played a big part in the decision to move him on,” he told Football Insider.
“De Bruyne has been one of the best for a number of years, and it’s always a shame when these players come to the end of their time at the top.
“It’s never easy to replace a player like that especially when you look at the options out there.
“But where Man City are concerned, they have been the top team in the country over the last six or seven years and have set high standards for themselves.
“One of the things they’ve always done well is their high-octane pressing game.
“Whenever they lost the ball, they’d work hard to win it back immediately and the opposition didn’t have enough time to exploit any weaknesses they had.
“They’d win the ball high up the pitch and then start another attack.
“The decision has been made to let De Bruyne go because he’s no longer up to that high-pressing game, and they’ve got a decision to make about Gundogan and a couple of others too.
“Pep Guardiola wants to get his team back to their best, and that means making big decisions.
“Now, they want to bring players in who can get them back to those standards and that style of play.“
Kalvin Phillips update emerges at Leeds United
Another midfielder who looks set to leave Man City this summer is Kalvin Phillips, following a mixed loan spell with relegation-favourites Ipswich Town.
Brown told Football Insider on 22 April that Phillips is edging closer to re-joining Leeds following their promotion from the Championship.
Brown explained that the Man City midfielder feels “at home” at Leeds after coming through the academy there and would be given the support of the fans.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 17 March that Phillips is pushing for a return to Leeds as he is widely expected to leave Man City for good.
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