Manchester City set to part ways with key duo as squad rebuilds for 2025: report

Despite winning four consecutive Premier League titles, the Citizens face tough times as they currently sit eight points behind the league leaders. Their next match is against table-topping Liverpool, adding more pressure to their situation. In the Champions League, they are struggling as they currently occupy the 17th spot in the standings. Additionally, their journey in the EFL Cup was cut short by a defeat against Tottenham.

All of this points to an imminent rebuild at the Etihad, where success had maybe started to be taken for granted. Guardiola signed a contract extension earlier this month, but there could soon be changes on the playing front.

De Bruyne and Walker could leave Manchester City

According to the Athletic, City have plans to revamp their squad in 2025. Both Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, key figures in some of the club’s most successful seasons, could be moved on.

There are also reportedly doubts about the future of Jack Grealish, who has only started seven games in all competitions this season and has struggled for form.

Walker has found things equally difficult in a City side suddenly leaking goals. The Athletic claim he is likely to depart having been close to an exit in 2023, with Bayern Munich interested at the time.

While Walker is contracted until the end of next season, De Bruyne’s deal expires in the summer. The Belgian has been hampered by injuries of late, only starting five games in all competitions so far this term.

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At 33, his exceptional near-decade long spell with City could be reaching a natural conclusion. He may yet be given a one-year extension, but moves to Saudi Arabia or MLS are also reportedly on the table.

Guardiola recently commented on De Bruyne’s future. “Of course he is fighting and training more than ever. He’s fighting to come back to his best. Of course he’s not 24, 25, 26, 27, when he was at his best,” he said.

“Now he is a certain age, and of course last season was five months out since playing in the first game. He wants to finish here, whether it’s this season, or the next one, or the next one being at his best

“I think he will not be here when he believes for reasons on his part that he doesn’t feel he can be the Kevin he can produce, and he can help the team like he has done in the last decade. I’m pretty sure of that."