Kevin De Bruyne remains one of the best players in world football when fit and firing but he's suffered with injuries over the last couple of seasons and has missed a fair chunk of this campaign already. He is out of contract in the summer and his long-term future remains up in the air.

What happens with Pep Guardiola's own long term future may well play a part but City will surely need to look for a succession plan to the brilliant Belgian. It is not the club's style to spend big on back-up players, the absence of a natural Rodri replacement is proof of that. Indeed City potentially have the perfect solution in their ranks in Phil Foden.

But seeing De Bruyne depart and not bringing in another potential creative midfielder or number 10 would be poor planning at best. And there are plenty of candidates out there, many of who have been linked with City over the past few months. Here we identify a few - plus one who is already signed up.

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Claudio Echeverri

Club: Manchester City

Pricetag: £12.5m

The long-term solution? City will welcome the Argentina sensation into their squad in January when he arrives from River Plate having spent the past 12 months back on loan in his homeland after a deal was struck last year to bring him to the Etihad.

He offers plenty of promise and potential and Julian Alvarez and Savinho have shown how new arrivals can make their mark in the first team. But Echerverri is just 18 and patience will be required for a talented playmaker who will have done well to simply achieve a place in the squad before the campaign is out.

Florian Wirtz

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Pricetag: £90m

Wirtz has been exceptional in Leverkusen's recent rise under Xabi Alonso. He inspired them to an undefeated campaign and a Bundesliga title last season and continues to catch the eye this. At 21, his next move will be to one of Europe's top clubs and City are one of many who have been linked. He looks to have a bright future and still has room to improve further given his age.

Jamal Musiala

Club: Bayern Munich

Pricetag: £100m

Arguably the top pick for any number of leading European clubs seeking reinforcements in the final third. The one time Chelsea youngster has excelled at Bayern Munich and consistently enhances his growing reputation. Looks every inch a Guardiola player but it would take a sizeable fee to convince Bayern, and their manager Vincent Kompany, into parting with one of their best players.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Club: Nottingham Forest

Pricetag: £50m

Has broken into the England squad and is playing a key role in Forest's surprising surge up the Premier League table. Capable of playing in the hole and out wide, he has proved he can handle the top flight and at 24 is coming into the prime of his career.

Eberechi Eze

Club: Crystal Palace

Pricetag: £60m

The 26-year-old looks destined to leave struggling Crystal Palace in the near future. He's inspired the Eagles on plenty of occasions and his dribbling, shooting and creativity are qualities that mark him out from others. Another who would provide versatility across the frontline.