Kevin De Bruyne among 4 superstars expected to leave Manchester City this summer: Reports
Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly been named among four of the club's biggest stars who have been penciled down for a 2025 exit. The Cityzens have struggled this season after winning a record four Premier League titles in a row, and the club is prepared for a rebuild.
They have taken two major steps in their planned rebuild, including handing manager Pep Guardiola a new contract until 2026, with the option of a further year. The club also selected Portuguese director Hugo Viana to lead its project as Txiki Begiristain is set to leave his role as director at the end of the 2024-25 season.
The Athletic have reported that Manchester City have identified the quartet of Ederson, De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Jack Grealish as players to be sold/released in 2025. The English champions are prepared to make moves into the transfer market in the summer to replace all four stars.
Club captain Walker has been at the club since 2017, having been signed by Guardiola in his second season in charge of the club. The 34-year-old appears to have lost some of his incredible recovery pace which made him a key player for Manchester City. He has been at fault for multiple goals they have conceded this season, leading the club to look elsewhere for a replacement.
Kevin De Bruyne joined the club from Wolfsburg two years before Walker arrived from Tottenham Hotspur and has been a key player over the years. With his contract set to expire in the summer and the player having interest from Saudi, the club appears unwilling to hand him an extension.
Brazil international Ederson has been at the club since 2017, becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the world since then. He was the subject of an approach from Al-Nassr last summer but remained at the club, and is expected to leave in 2025.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish, the club's only £100 million signing so far, has struggled to produce at a consistent level since moving to City in 2021. He has registered just 14 goals and 20 assists in 138 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons at Manchester City.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola downplays talk of Kevin De Bruyne rift
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has responded to rumors of a rift with star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne amid the side's slump this season. Winless in six games, the Spanish manager started his talismanic midfielder on the bench at Liverpool, leading to speculation of a rift between the pair.
Guardiola addressed the issue in his press conference ahead of Manchester City's clash against Nottingham Forest on December 4. He explained the reason for his use of the 33-year-old. He pointed out that injuries have not been very kind to the Belgian in recent seasons, and he is not at his best, at present.
"People say I've got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No," Guardiola said (via 90min). I don't want Kevin to play? The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don't want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?
"He's delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he's been five months injured [last season] and two months injured [this season]. He's 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He'll try to do it and feel better. I'm desperate to have his best."
With just one goal and an assist in seven league appearances for Manchester City this season, the veteran midfielder is clearly not at his best. Guardiola will hope, however, that he can help the side end their dismal run of form when they face Nottingham Forest.
