Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Transfers, Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City have identified a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, just days after they pulled out of a deal to sign Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz, who is widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in world football, has been linked with a move to the Etihad for some time. In fact, the 22-year-old was touted by many to become the long-term successor to De Bruyne, who will leave City when his contract expires on June 30.
However, the Citizens are thought to be concerned about the cost of the move, with BBC Sport claiming that an agreement to sign Wirtz would represent the biggest deal in the club's history, potentially reaching as much as €300 million (£253 million) inclusive of transfer fees and wages.
As a result, City are said to have cooled their interest in the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker, who looks set to join newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool.
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Now, a report has emerged suggesting that City have a shortlist of players they rate highly who could replace De Bruyne, which includes Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, and the much sought-after Rayan Cherki.
The Telegraph claim a move for the French playmaker, who notched 12 goals and 20 assists this season for Lyon, is 'a live possibility in the early stages of the summer'.
Unlike the previously mentioned Wirtz, Cherki could move for cheap. In fact, the 21-year-old is said to have have a release clause in his Lyon contract of around £20-25 million, which has attracted interest from plenty of other suitors.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool continue to be linked with Cherki, while Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund made a move for the France international earlier in the season.
In other news, City appear to be closing in on their first transfer of the summer after it emerged that one of their top targets has scrapped his holiday amid ongoing speculation.
AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is said to have cancelled a family vacation which was previously booked for early July, according to reports in Italy.
It is said the family were scheduled to visit Ibiza but the trip will no longer happen – potentially to allow the 26-year-old Netherlands international to sign for City and feature in the Club World Cup.
A fee of £55 million is a figure that has been mentioned for Reijnders, who scored 15 goals in all competitions for Milan as they finished eighth in Serie A.
