Manchester City Eyeing Future Stars as Transition Looms: Could Aleksey Batrakov Be the Next Kevin De Bruyne?
Pep Guardiola may have committed his future to Manchester City, but signs suggest the club is entering a phase of transformation. With several key players now in their 30s – including Bernardo Silva, Matteo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, Kyle Walker, and John Stones – the need to refresh the squad is becoming increasingly evident.
Kevin De Bruyne, who will turn 34 next summer, remains a crucial figure despite an injury-plagued season, managing only four Premier League starts in the 2024/25 campaign. However, whispers of finding his long-term successor are growing louder. Among the names linked to the Etihad are Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
Now, a rising star from Russia, Aleksey Batrakov, is being tipped as a potential future Citizen. The 19-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow prodigy has captured attention with a series of dazzling performances, and his agent, Vladimir Kuzmichev, believes the midfielder could thrive under Guardiola.
“Pep Would Be Interested in Batrakov”
In an interview with RSport, Kuzmichev shared his thoughts on Batrakov’s potential fit at Manchester City:
“I see him at Manchester City, and not because it’s City, but because it’s Guardiola. Pep would definitely be interested in Batrakov, and he would 100 per cent play well for him.”
Kuzmichev, however, tempered expectations, noting that Batrakov needs more time to develop:
“First of all, Aleksey needs to play this season and next season at a consistently high level. If Guardiola is at City by then, we’ll contact them and make an offer.”
Batrakov’s Stunning Form in Russi
Since breaking onto the scene, Batrakov has amassed 11 goals and eight assists in just 19 appearances this season. His ability to finish from distance, coupled with exceptional spatial awareness and intelligence on the ball, has drawn comparisons to former Russian and Arsenal star Andriy Arshavin.
Kuzmichev praised his client’s maturity and work ethic:
“This is the first case I’ve seen where a player entered our league in such a mature, productive, and beautiful way. Aleksey shows a mature game beyond his age. In addition to talent, he is distinguished by his hard work and amazing character. The combination of talent and character gives this result.”
Not Yet Ready for the Big Stage
Despite the buzz, Kuzmichev believes a move to City, Barcelona, or any other European giant is premature. With only 25 senior appearances, Batrakov still has plenty to learn:
“It would be unprofessional to agree to any conditions to let Alexey go. We must try to keep the player this and next season.”
He continued:
“We understand that, sooner or later, Aleksey may agree on an offer from a big European club. But he has a long-term contract, and it’s unlikely the club will consider any offer today. Of course, if Barcelona offers a crazy amount, maybe the Lokomotiv management will waver.”
What This Means for City
As City brace for the eventual departure of their current stalwarts, players like Batrakov symbolize the club’s ambition to remain at the top. Whether the Russian starlet makes his way to Manchester in the future or stays to hone his craft, it’s clear Guardiola and his team are always thinking ahead.
