Frank Christian
Kevin De Bruyne is set to captain Manchester City in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace this Saturday.
This match marks the Belgian midfielder’s final appearance in City’s colors at Wembley, following last month’s announcement of his departure from the Etihad Stadium at season’s end.
In the last ten years, City has skillfully replaced iconic players like Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero while continuing to win trophies under Pep Guardiola.
However, after two disappointing transfer windows and their toughest Premier League season under Guardiola in 2024/25, the pressure is mounting on Hugo Viana, the new director of football, to deliver results.
Potential Replacements for Kevin De Bruyne: Five Candidates for Pep Guardiola
Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is undoubtedly a top priority for City, especially as recent reports indicate that his parents visited Manchester for discussions with the club’s leadership ahead of the cup final. While Bayern Munich was initially seen as the front-runner for his transfer, both Man City and Liverpool have emerged as serious contenders, making Wirtz a key figure in the upcoming transfer market.
As a genuinely elite attacking midfielder with a bright future ahead, there are plans to position Wirtz as a “franchise” player to team up with Erling Haaland for the long run.
Morgan Gibbs-White
This summer could see an unexpectedly active transfer period for Viana, especially with the looming expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Potential departures of players like Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, and John Stones may create challenges for City’s homegrown quota. Signing England’s Gibbs-White would address not only this quota but also add much-needed strength and flair to the squad’s midfield.
His impressive assist during Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester only fuels the rumors surrounding him. Depending on the outcomes in Europe, Guardiola may prioritize this signing regardless of whether Wirtz joins the team.
THE CITY GROUND ERUPTS. CHRIS WOOD PUTS NOTTINGHAM FOREST IN FRONT.
USA Network | #NFOLEI pic.twitter.com/UhQiwT27ok
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 11, 2025
Rodrygo
Getty Images
At Guardiola’s City, replacing top stars isn’t always straightforward. For instance, Sergio Aguero left as the club’s leading scorer, and successfully employing false nines was a solution in subsequent seasons. If acquiring a player like Wirtz isn’t possible, Guardiola and Viana might turn their attention to securing a wide attacker who can clinically finish and is also adept on the right flank.
Rodrygo’s name surfaced among potential City targets last year, but now seems less favored within Real Madrid given their season’s struggles. This move would also allow Phil Foden the opportunity to rebound from a challenging campaign and embrace De Bruyne’s role as he did so effectively during the 2023/24 season.
Eberechi Eze
Eze was previously linked with City in 2023, but the club chose different avenues during a challenging transfer window after their treble victory. While there may be new priorities on the table, Guardiola clearly values Eze’s skill set. Should Grealish’s time at City come to an end, adding Eze would not only boost the squad but also satisfy homegrown requirements. If Palace’s star performs well at Wembley, further speculation could arise.
Cole Palmer
This option is more unconventional and seems unlikely. Palmer, once a standout in City’s prestigious youth system, has since made a name for himself as one of the top talents in the Premier League with Chelsea.
If the Wirtz transfer falls through and City has funds to invest, it might be worth exploring whether Todd Boehly is open to negotiations.
