Football News: Manchester City Eyeing Potential Replacements for Kevin De Bruyne

In a significant development in the world of football, reports suggest that Manchester City are actively searching for potential replacements for their star midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, amid growing interest from the Saudi Pro League.

De Bruyne, who missed extensive parts of the 2023/24 campaign due to injury, bounced back strongly during the final stretch of the season, scoring four goals and providing ten assists in his 18 Premier League appearances. However, the Belgium international’s future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain, as he has entered the final year of his contract.

According to a report from Caught Offside, De Bruyne is “not ruling out a transfer to the Saudi Pro League,” with the 33-year-old attracting interest from clubs such as Al Ittihad and Al Nassr. The report states that “De Bruyne is ready to meet with Saudi negotiators after numerous approaches for the Belgium international over the last year or so, with the 33-year-old long being one of the top targets for the project in Saudi Arabia.”

While De Bruyne has publicly stated his happiness at Manchester City, the club is reportedly not ruling out the possibility of cashing in on the player, with no significant progress made regarding a potential contract extension.

Potential Replacements for De Bruyne

In response to this development, Manchester City are said to be “eyeing up some big names for their creative midfield department,” with the likes of Joao Neves (who is also targeted by Manchester United), Florian Wirtz, and Xavi Simons being considered as potential replacements.

The report suggests that Benfica and Portugal wonderkid Neves is one option the club admires, despite the difficulty of the deal due to his €120 million release clause and Financial Fair Play considerations. Wirtz, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, is another long-term target City could turn to, while Simons, who is currently linked with a loan move to Bayern Munich, is also appreciated by the Premier League champions.

Ederson’s Potential Move

In a separate development, Manchester City’s Brazilian goalkeeper, Ederson, has also been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. According to Spanish journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, Al Nassr, the club owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, has made a £50 million contract offer to Ederson, and the decision now rests with the player.

As the summer transfer window approaches, football enthusiasts will be closely following the developments surrounding Manchester City’s potential replacements for Kevin De Bruyne and the future of Ederson, as the club looks to maintain its dominance in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

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