PREMIER LEAGUE

Kevin De Bruyne’s next stop: MLS or Saudi Arabia?

The Belgian midfielder is beginning to look at his future options.

GLYN KIRKAFP

Kevin De Bruyne has once again shown why he is one of the best midfielders in the history of the Premier League. The Belgian is a player capable of making a difference in the best team in the world, even if he is not 100% physically and at the age of 32. But it is precisely that, his age, as well as the time left on his contract with Manchester City (his current deal expires in June 2025), which suggests that his departure from City will happen sooner rather than later.

“It’s a question for him. I would love him to stay, but I don’t know. I don’t know if he has an offer. I don’t know if Saudi Arabia want him. I would love him to stay at Manchester City, of course,” Pep Guardiola said at a press conference when asked about a possible departure in the summer.

De Bruyne’s future

The Athletic reports that, at the moment, the club captain’s future is uncertain, as he has several options open to him. On the one hand, there is Saudi Arabia. “Kevin De Bruyne received an offer of around 70 million euros a year last summer to join Saudi Arabia, but he, like Bernardo Silva, who was offered a similar amount by Al Hilal, said no”.

The Saudis will not give up so easily, however, and according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, “the Belgian midfielder has been tipped as the next big priority this summer for Saudi football officials. There has never been an offer on the table (to Manchester City), but they will act very strongly this summer after Euro 2024 to convince the Manchester City player, who is not totally against the idea, contrary to what has been said.”

The report also adds that “De Bruyne has always considered retiring in the more traditional way, by moving to Major League Soccer”. While the Belgian midfielder has not yet ruled out the possibility of staying at the Etihad Stadium beyond 2025, “a move to the United States could suit him and his family better than a move to Saudi Arabia, even if the money is not so good”.

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