A REAL MONSTER: The Citizens identify club sensation as De Bruyne’s replacement.

As a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City is eyeing Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich and Germany.

De Bruyne has a contract with the Etihad Stadium through 2025, when the Belgium midfielder will turn 35. De Bruyne is presently out until the new year after having surgery for a persistent hamstring issue.

Since joining Manchester City in 2015, the 33-year-old has helped the Sky Blues win 14 trophies, including five Premier League championships and a first-ever UEFA Champions League.

The midfielder, who shares the record for the most assists in a Premier League season with legendary Arsenal star Thierry Henry, became just the sixth player to accumulate 100 assists in the league last year.

In addition to being awarded PFA Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021, De Bruyne earned the Premier League playmaker award for the third consecutive season last year.

Due to the 33-year-old’s long-term hamstring injury sustained against Burnley on the first weekend of the new season, Manchester City recently put the talks about a new deal on pause.

The Secret Scout reports that Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich has been chosen as the Belgian’s long-term replacement, and that Etihad officials are also allegedly preparing for the legend of Manchester City’s inevitable departure.

Musiala, 20, will be sought for by Manchester City to replace De Bruyne. For Bayern Munich last season, he was directly involved in 32 goals across all competitions.

The German international led Thomas Tuchel’s team to a thrilling Bundesliga title defence on the final day of the season, scoring 16 goals and dishing out 16 assists.

Before switching his senior international allegiance to the German national team, Musiala played for England’s minor teams as a teenager. He is under contract at the Allianz Arena through 2026.

Erling Haaland, who eventually replaced Sergio Aguero, and Ruben Dias, who replaced Vincent Kompany by transferring to the Etihad Stadium, are two examples of how Manchester City has effectively replaced significant outgoings in the past.