Kovacic, Gundogan, Rico Lewis and Foden moved in midfield after De Bruyne was substituted, but City's performance barely improved, showing how much of a rebuild City need in midfield this summer.

Wirtz is Manchester City's top transfer target this summer, and with Rodri set to return next season and 23-year-old Nico Gonzalez also settling into the side, it would theoretically be a very good midfield, especially with Foden also on the shortlist.

It remains to be seen how De Bruyne will fit in, with recent news from the player's camp suggesting that he wants to stay despite interest from the likes of Santiago, but the final decision is not his.

He is on £400,000-a-week wages but he must know that if City were to offer him a new contract it would not be on that basis. It is understood that De Bruyne has agreed to play a supporting role next season, but the question is: does Guardiola think he is up to the task?