Man City plot ‘swap deal’ to replace De Bruyne with ‘dream’ signing in ‘two separate transactions’
According to reports, Manchester City have hatched a plan to replace Kevin De Bruyne, who is expected to leave the Premier League holders this summer.
De Bruyne‘s long-term future is in doubt as he’s among the 20 best footballers who could become a free agent in 2025.
The Belgian international is one of the best midfielders in Premier League history but he’s been impacted by injuries in recent years as he’s slipped in the pecking order at the Etihad.
The 33-year-old has only made 12 Premier League starts for Man City this season and he looks increasingly likely to leave amid interest from the Saudi Pro League and MLS.
Former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown reckons De Bruyne is keen to ‘quit’ Man City as he ‘wants’ to move to the MLS.
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Brown told Football Insider: “Man City think they’ve got too many older players.
“De Bruyne is one of those, and they’re now prepared to let him move on when his contract runs out and then they’ll look for a younger replacement. He’s reached the end of his days with City in the Premier League.
“He’s still a fantastic technician, but just like everybody else, he’s lost his legs. Especially after the time he spent out with injuries, it’s hard to come back from that physically.
“There has been talk about a move to the MLS with San Diego, which I think would suit him perfectly.
“It’s similar to what we’ve seen Lionel Messi do, go out to America and play at a lower intensity.
“That’s a move De Bruyne now wants to make at this stage of his career.”
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Bayer Leverkusen standout Florian Wirtz has been heavily linked with Man City as a potential replacement and a report from The Mirror claims they could make their ‘dream’ signing as part of a ‘shock swap deal’.
‘Manchester City hope to bring top target Florian Wirtz to the Etihad this summer – and could use James McAtee to do it.
‘They are likely to be active again in the summer in a bid to catapult themselves back into the title race after watching Liverpool gazump them this term and Bayer Leverkusen and Germany ace Wirtz has emerged as their primary target.
‘Wirtz is seen as the perfect like-for-like replacement for De Bruyne – whose deal expires this summer – after showing off his superb creative displays in the middle of the park under Leverkusen Xabi Alonso.
‘He has 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga side to confirm his name as one of Europe’s most prestigious talents, with City likely to be at the front of the queue.
‘City star McAtee is also a target for Leverkusen this summer. They missed out on a loan move in January and they are keeping tabs on the 22-year-old. Their interest could be hugely important to City’s hopes of getting a deal for Wirtz over the line with a potential swap deal working for both parties.
‘But it wouldn’t be a swap as in the same deal – for PSR purposes, it would be completed as two separate transactions – which would further enhance City’s ability to spend this summer, given ALL the money from McAtee’s exit would go on their balance sheet.’
