Manchester City identify Paris Saint-Germain star and former Barcelona wonderkid as Kevin De Bruyne replacement | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly identified a Kevin De Bruyne replacement, looking to Paris Saint-Germain and one of their poster talents.

The Belgium international captain is currently into the final year of his Manchester City contract, with relaxed talks over whether to extend his stay beyond the end of this season yet to intensify.

De Bruyne has long been at the centre of transfer conversation involving the likes of the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer, but the 33-year-old has consistently stressed his happiness with life at Manchester City and in the north-west of England.

With De Bruyne’s three young children all growing up in Manchester, and the young family understood to be content with life in the leafy suburbs around the city, there is very little interest in moving away from the area any time soon.

However, with ongoing uncertainty over his contract and how long the Belgian playmaker could continue to perform at the highest level in the game, Manchester City are seemingly pressing ahead of with contingency plans in the recruitment department.

According to the latest information of Football Insider, Manchester City have now set their sights on signing Paris Saint-Germain and Netherlands superstar, Xavi Simons as a long-term successor to legendary playmaker Kevin de Bruyne.

It is claimed that the 21-year-old midfielder, who is currently on loan at RB Leipzig, is a priority target for Pep Guardiola’s side, but they will face ‘stiff competition’ from Premier League giants Liverpool and Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich.

Manchester City have faced the talents of Xavi Simons on multiple occasions over the last few months, having taken on his RB Leipzig side twice during the group stage of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.

Nathan Ake will also be familiar with the talents of the player, and could be a major player in any conversations with the youngster, should Manchester City put all their efforts into recruiting the creative midfielder.

Elsewhere and it is understood that Manchester City also have their eyes on the likes of Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, with the Germany international pairing expected to command transfer fees north of £100 million any time soon.