Manchester City are typically considered to be one of the wisest clubs in global football when it pertains to recruitment. Since Pep Guardiola's tenure, the club has also lost iconic personalities in Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Yaya Toure, and Sergio Aguero, but the Etihad Stadium remains a fortress of competitiveness. The replacements for the legends have also been found in the likes of Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Erling Haaland, and City has maintained its position at the very top of the football pyramid.
While Manchester United and Chelsea have been hesitating to make important player decisions, City's Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, continues to have a reputation for immaculate judgment. However, recent Manchester City transfer news suggests that the club are about to make a mistake that will haunt them – and this time Liverpool could be the ones to benefit.
Kevin De Bruyne to Liverpool?
The Premier League transfer news rumor mill has been rife with speculation that Liverpool have allegedly submitted a bid for Manchester City's talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. Legendary Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Liverpool have set their sights on the Belgian international, whose deal at City expires in June. If this move materializes, it would have significant implications not just for City but also for their arch Premier League rivals.
De Bruyne, at the age of 33, remains one of the world's top playmakers. His vision, passing range, and ability to control the tempo of a match have seen him carry Manchester City on countless occasions. It seems, however, that City are willing to move on from the player as his contract winds down. If Liverpool do end up signing De Bruyne, it would be a catastrophe for Manchester City in the same way that Luis Suarez's transfer from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid in 2020 came back to haunt the Catalan giants.
A Luis Suarez-like Situation?
For those with memories, Barcelona decided to offload Luis Suarez in the summer of 2020. The Catalan giants believed the Uruguayan striker was too old and finished at 33 and allowed him to leave for a meager €5.5 million to join direct rivals Atletico Madrid. The transfer was a mistake that would come to haunt Barcelona as Suarez went on to guide Atletico to the La Liga championship in the 2020-2021 season, finishing as one of the league's top scorers. His 21 goals in 32 matches demonstrated that Barcelona had significantly underestimated his potential.
Suarez himself admitted that the rejection by Barcelona provided him with the motivation to prove them wrong. "I felt I still had what it takes to play for Barca," he stated. "Atletico Madrid came along and opened the doors for me. That motivated me. My mission was to show Barcelona that they had made a mistake, and we won La Liga."
Interestingly enough, Kevin De Bruyne recently uttered words that echoed the sentiments of Suarez years ago. "I have shown I can still play here, otherwise I don't do what I do these last four or five weeks," De Bruyne said in response to his recent form. "Some of my teammates have spoken to me, they too are unhappy that I am leaving. Such is life, but the form I am in is the way I am meant to be."
If De Bruyne were to join Liverpool, the need to prove City wrong could be mirrored with Suarez when he joined Atletico. Liverpool were already a good side, and they would be acquiring one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, and this would tip the balance of power in the Premier League in their favor.
A Potential Disaster for Manchester City
If Manchester City allow De Bruyne to leave to a direct rival like Liverpool, they will be letting one of their most imperious players slip through their fingers. His vision and ability to fashion goalscoring chances are impossible to replace in City's midfield, and losing him would leave a massive chasm that will be difficult to fill. In addition, his transfer to Liverpool would be a huge boost to Jurgen Klopp's team, a side that has already conquered the Premier League and has a very deadly attack.
Guardiola and company could be confronted by the same scenario as Barcelona's remorse for Suarez soon enough. Though City has never had any issues replacing stars that leave, the De Bruyne contract situation is a different story. As the Belgian continues to play at an elite level, letting him go to a competitor could eventually prove to be one they regret.
Manchester City Transfer Market Updates
As Manchester City proceed in the transfer market, they might need to think carefully about what they do next. Manchester City player departures are always emotive, yet to lose a player such as De Bruyne, and to a Liverpool transfer target, would be a mistake that could turn out to be irreversible. Not only could this affect City's short-term future, but also their long-term aspirations in the Premier League.
Conclusion
With Manchester City transfer news alive with the potential of Kevin De Bruyne signing for Liverpool, City could be on the verge of a monumental mistake. The parallels with Luis Suarez's move to Atletico Madrid are spooky, and if De Bruyne does go through with the move, it's one that will come back to haunt Guardiola's side. While City's track record in the transfer market has been close to flawless, this potential mistake could be one that will haunt them for years to come. If De Bruyne were to join Liverpool, it could be a game-changer for the Premier League and the two clubs. The Liverpool transfer targets are also heating up, and the next two weeks will be crucial for both clubs in the title run-in.
