“If I play there for two years, I’ll earn an incredible amount. I had to play for 15 years, I may not even reach that amount…” Manchester City Star Kevin De Bruyne has decided to leave Manchester City this summer after speaking with the club, he is set to join this shocking Saudi Arabia Club
The 32-year-old’s contract at Etihad Stadium expires at the end of next season, and he has been linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia this summer, with the MLS also appearing as a possible destination for the Belgian international.
De Bruyne’s eighth season at Manchester City ended last month, when the midfielder recovered from hamstring surgery to assist Pep Guardiola’s team win a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title.
The midfielder suffered hamstring surgery in August, but scored 23 goals in 26 appearances for Manchester City during the 2023/24 season, including a spectacular cameo display at St James’ Park in late January.
De Bruyne, who has 180 direct goal involvements in the Premier League, broke the 100-goal milestone with the Sky Blues this season, with the Belgian scoring a number of vital goals in many tournaments.
De Bruyne, 32, last scored against Brighton in April, and his most recent outing was against Manchester United in the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in May.
The start in north London might be De Bruyne’s final appearance for Guardiola’s side, with Saudi Arabian teams expressing interest in acquiring the midfielder this summer, as well as negotiations between the player’s representation and MLS club San Diego FC.
Manchester City are scheduled to undertake contract extension discussions with De Bruyne this summer, but in a shocking interview, the midfielder indicated his willingness to finalize a future move to Saudi Arabia.
“At my age, you need to be open. You’re talking about enormous sums of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about it. “If I play there for two years, I will be able to make a lot of money,” he told HLN Sport.
“Before that, I had to play football for fifteen years. I may not even have reached that number yet. Then you have to consider what it may imply next. But for the moment, I haven’t had to worry about it.
“For [my wife] Michèle, an unusual trip is acceptable. These are also topics that we are having more frequently as a family. I still have one year on my Man City deal, so I have to consider what could happen.
“My eldest is now eight-years-old and knows nothing but England. He also wants to know how long I’ll be playing for Manchester City. “When the time comes, we will have to deal with it in a specific way,” De Bruyne added.
Kevin De Bruyne is one of four Manchester City players connected with a move to the Middle East, with Saudi teams reportedly interested in Kyle Walker, Ederson, and Matheus Nunes.
City have already demonstrated a willingness to deal with Saudi Arabian teams, with Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte completing their moves from the Etihad Stadium to the Middle East last summer.Julian Alvarez of Manchester City is Atletico Madrid’s main objective this summer, according to sources.
The Spanish club has already made an attempt for the Argentine, who has recently completed his second season at the Etihad. Alvarez sits below Erling Haaland in the City pecking order, and Atletico wants to add the World Cup champion to their roster.
Alvarez still has four years left on his contract at Manchester, and Pep Guardiola has found ways to give him consistent minutes. The former River Plate player has only scored 19 goals in his career, after scoring 17 in his rookie season. Marca understands that Atletico has joined Barcelona in their admiration for the City man.
Atletico have Antoine Griezmann, Memphis Depay, and Alvaro Morata on their roster, but Diego Simeone, Alvarez’s compatriot, wants to bring him to the Wanda Metropolitano.
The 24-year-old, who might cost a high fee considering his talent, has stated no desire to go and expressed happiness that he was getting more minutes. He stated some months ago: “I played more this season – the first year I had to be more patient – and I’ve played in different spots – as a nine or a ten.” But I am glad to be playing a lot more.”
City and Guardiola have demonstrated that they are prepared to sell their star players if they indicate a desire to go. Few, if any, players have been kept in Manchester when they are looking for a new opportunity, with Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte among those who have left in recent years.
Ederson, the goalkeeper, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Kevin De Bruyne is another player who has expressed interest in the Middle East. City’s No. 17 is regarded as the finest player in the Premier League, but at the age of 32, he concedes he will have to consider lucrative offers.
