Gabri Veiga and four more Declan Rice alternatives for Man City in transfer window

Manchester City's quest to replace departed captain Ilkay Gundogan rumbles on after they gave up on their chase of Declan Rice.

City have lost their captain as he will officially depart after seven years when his contract expires at the end of the month and join Barcelona on a free transfer. The Blues have got used to waving goodbye to legends over the years but Pep Guardiola has rarely lost a player still so integral to his side, one still delivering crucial moments in the biggest games.

Gundogan is by no means past his peak like Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero or Fernandinho were, to the contrary, he may well still be playing the best football of his career. After his brace won the title on the final day of the 2021/22 season, the German was again instrumental in getting City over the line this past season and scored twice in the FA Cup final on the way to the treble triumph.

Replacing him will be no easy feat but City have made a good start. Mateo Kovacic has been recruited in a shrewd £25million deal from Chelsea and the Croatian has taken the briefly vacant No.8. But he isn't seen as a direct replacement by the club who would ideally like to sign another midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Also read: Declan Rice to Arsenal transfer smashes four terrible Man City myths

City held an interest in West Ham talisman Rice and made it concrete at the start of the week with a £90m bid which was turned down. Their approach spurred Arsenal into action who have raised their own offer for their top target to a massive £105m. The deal is yet to be agreed as West Ham have complaints about the payment structure but the staggering price has seen City walk away from the deal.

So who else could the Blues target to replace