De Bruyne decision hands Man City title race trump card Liverpool don't have

Manchester City need to prepare for life without Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian announced he is set to leave the club this summer

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Kevin De Bruyne's decision to leave Manchester City has given the club enough time to find a replacement this summer. The 33-year-old announced on Friday that he is departing the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

De Bruyne, who is out of contract at the end of June, signed for City from Wolfsburg for £54.5m in August 2015. He has since spent 10 years in Manchester, scoring 106 goals and adding 174 assists in 413 appearances.

During his time at City, De Bruyne has won it all. He has lifted the Premier League six times, the Champions League once, the Carabao Cup on five occasions, the FA Cup twice and the Club World Cup once.

However, De Bruyne's gametime has been reduced this season and he has now confirmed that the next three months is going to be his final in a City shirt, as he prepares to move on to pastures new.

"Dear Manchester, Seeing this you probably realise where this is heading," De Bruyne started in a statement. "So I'll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.

"Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here, and you deserve to hear it from me first."

De Bruyne's final Premier League game as a City player is going to be at Fulham on Sunday, May 25. The Belgian could lift his final piece of major silverware eight days prior in the FA Cup, should City beat Nottingham Forest in the semi-final and then get past Aston Villa or Crystal Palace at Wembley.

City's game against Fulham might not be De Bruyne's farewell, however. Pep Guardiola's side are in Club World Cup action in June, and De Bruyne's current contract would allow him to feature in the group phase. It's unclear, at this stage, whether the midfielder will compete for City at the new FIFA tournament.

"It's a good question [if De Bruyne will play for City at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup]. I don't know," Guardiola said ahead of his side's trip to Manchester United. "He has to decide. It's a new competition. I hope he can continue to play football in another place, but it depends on risk and contracts for the future."

Regardless, City have got plenty of time to source a replacement for De Bruyne either in time for the Club World Cup or after and ahead of the 2025/26 season.

This could give City the edge as they prepare to get their squad set for another Premier League title charge. It's something that Guardiola's side might be able to benefit from.

Liverpool, meanwhile, can't say the same. Although the Reds are no doubt going to get a list of potential replacements if Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves this summer, there is still no clarification about whether the right-back is going to join Real Madrid on a free transfer or not.

The same can be said about Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah - who are facing uncertain futures and out of contract this summer. Liverpool cannot, for certain, plan without those three and it might impact their summer transfer business ahead of next season, as they look to strengthen their squad.

City, however, know where De Bruyne's future lies and can, for sure, plan without the midfielder. That clarity means they can identify an attacking midfield replacement knowing De Bruyne won't be here past the summer.

Looking at who could replace De Bruyne, Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen has been tipped to move to City this summer. The German has been in fine form for Leverkusen this season, scoring 15 goals and adding 13 assists in 39 appearances. He would be an excellent addition if City can get it done.

With the Club World Cup to play, City have less time than others to build a squad this summer so early decision making is vital. As De Bruyne has confirmed his departure, City can start now.

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Manchester City wrapped up the 2023/24 season with a fourth successive Premier League title, but they missed out on another Treble with defeat in the FA Cup final and Champions League quarter-finals. It's now time for Pep Guardiola and co to turn their attention to the transfer window.

Our MEN team of City experts will be on top of all the goings-on at the Etihad this summer and beyond, and you can get the latest updates and inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community. You can also join the 40,000 (and growing!) band of Blues fans who are following our WhatsApp channel.

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