Manchester City’s quest to find a worthy successor for their departing legend Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a significant setback, as one of their prime targets, Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, has reportedly agreed to join Bayern Munich in the summer of 2026. The 22-year-old German star, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most electrifying attacking midfielders, was seen as the ideal candidate to fill the void left by De Bruyne, whose contract with City expires at the end of the 2025 season. With Pep Guardiola already reshaping his squad for a new era, this development poses a fresh challenge for the Premier League giants, who must now pivot to other options to maintain their dominance.
De Bruyne, a cornerstone of City’s success since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, announced his departure earlier this year, citing the club’s decision not to offer a new contract. “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” the 33-year-old Belgian wrote on social media, marking the end of a glittering decade that included six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. His exit, confirmed by Guardiola as a “club decision” involving director of football Txiki Begiristain, has forced City to scour the market for a player capable of replicating De Bruyne’s vision, passing, and clutch performances. “There’s no doubt he’s one of the greatest,” Guardiola said, acknowledging the monumental task of replacing a player who created 826 chances in the Premier League, nearly 300 more than any other.
Wirtz, with 16 goals and 13 assists in 43 appearances this season, emerged as City’s dream target. His ability to operate in tight spaces, combined with his knack for scoring and creating, drew comparisons to De Bruyne’s prime. “He’s been a shining light,” a scout noted, praising Wirtz’s role in Leverkusen’s double-winning campaign last season. However, reports indicate that Wirtz, valued at over £85 million, has his heart set on Bayern Munich, dealing a blow to City’s ambitions. The decision aligns with Bayern’s aggressive recruitment strategy, leaving City to compete with Real Madrid and others for alternative targets.
City’s transfer plans are further complicated by their ongoing squad overhaul. The club spent £180 million in January on signings like Omar Marmoush, who has impressed with a hat-trick against Newcastle and a selfless playmaking style. “Marmoush could actually end up being De Bruyne’s successor in the No. 10 role,” a journalist observed, citing his versatility and creativity. Other names in the frame include Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, whose “rapid decision-making and superb vision” have caught City’s eye, and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, a box-to-box midfielder with nine goals in Serie A this season. “It’s very, very difficult to replace a player like Kevin De Bruyne,” a former scout emphasized, underscoring the need for a multi-faceted approach to fill the void.
Guardiola’s call to move on from De Bruyne, driven by the midfielder’s injury struggles and reduced output—three goals and seven assists in 2024-25—reflects City’s focus on youth and sustainability. Yet, the loss of Wirtz stings, especially as City aim to reclaim the Premier League crown and prepare for the Club World Cup, where De Bruyne’s participation remains uncertain. “He has to decide,” Guardiola said of a potential short-term extension for the tournament. For now, City’s recruitment team must regroup, with names like Xavi Simons and James Maddison also circulating as potential options. As the summer transfer window looms, the race to find De Bruyne’s heir promises to be a defining chapter in City’s evolution.
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