Phil Foden could land new Man City role as four De Bruyne replacements named – sources
Manchester City have identfied four potential successors to Kevin De Bruyne with Phil Foden given the chance to make the step up into the playmaker role, sources have told Football Insider.
De Bruyne’s long-anticipated exit from the Etihad Stadium finally being announced last week leaves Pep Guardiola with a huge hole to fill in midfield; the Belgian having been its fulcrum for the past 10 seasons.
City accept that whoever comes in to replace De Bruyne will have big shoes to fill, but see Foden as the current member of their squad most capable of stepping into the role the 33-year-old has excelled in.
However, Foden has come under heavy criticism for his displays at both club and international level this season, admitting that mental fatigue has affected his performances for England and Man City.
As a result, sources have told Football Insider that amid doubts over Foden’s ability to become the main man at the Etihad, Man City are already “doing their homework” on signing a De Bruyne replacement.
Florian Wirtz the standout as Man City prepare vital transfer
While Foden will be given the first opportunity to step into the breach after De Bruyne’s departure, City have their eye on three standout attacking midfielders who could provide a similar level of output.
Sources have told Football Insider that Germany star Florian Wirtz is the leading candidate to succeed De Bruyne and is seen as an ideal fit, but Bayer Leverkusen would demand well over £100million for him.
Most of Europe’s top clubs are keen on Wirtz, and while Football Insider revealed City’s long-standing interest in his international team-mate Jamal Musiala last November, signing him also looks a long shot.
Musiala signed a new long-term deal with Bayern Munich in February, likely ruling City out of the running, but Football Insider has also been told that Morgan Gibbs-White is another player Guardiola admires.
Man City face uphill battle to find De Bruyne successor
Musiala’s new contract tying him down at Bayern until 2030 and Wirtz’s expected £128m price tag puts City at long odds to pry either star away from the Bundesliga, leaving Guardiola with a decision to make.
Gibbs-White is already hardened to the Premier League and has shone in Nottingham Forest’s march towards the Champions League, making the England playmaker the obvious choice for Man City to sign.
However, sources told Football Insider last month that Forest have no intention of letting Gibbs-White go quietly, and the 25-year-old – Musiala and Wirtz’s elder by three years – certainly won’t come cheap.
Foden is certainly capable of putting aside poor form to fulfil his billing as De Bruyne’s long-term successor, but it remains to be seen if City hold off on signing a replacement in order for him to do so.