Kevin De Bruyne’s Future Takes an Unexpected Turn: A Saudi Pro League Move on the Horizon?
As Belgium exits Euro 2024, Manchester City’s star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne faces speculation about his next move with just a year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Kevin De Bruyne, a pivotal figure in Manchester City’s squad, has reportedly made a significant decision about his future. According to journalist Rudy Galetti, De Bruyne has verbally agreed to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad once his contract with City expires. This decision comes as De Bruyne enters the final year of his current deal, sparking widespread discussions about his next career step.
The 33-year-old midfielder had a rollercoaster season, missing the first half due to injury but making a strong comeback in the latter part, showcasing his invaluable skills for City. Now, with his contract ticking down, City seems open to letting him leave for a fee this summer, although it remains unclear if the agreement with Al Ittihad is for an immediate move or post-2025.
De Bruyne himself hinted at a potential move to the Saudi Pro League last month. Speaking to Belgian media outlet HLN, he remarked, “At my age, you have to be open to everything. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that. If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that, I had to play football for 15 years. I may not even reach that amount yet.”
He added, “Then you have to think about what that could mean next. But at the moment I haven’t had to think about that yet.”
In parallel, another Manchester City star, goalkeeper Ederson, has also attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League. According to talkSPORT, City is bracing for a bid for the Brazilian shot-stopper. Reports suggest that Pep Guardiola’s side would be willing to accept an offer of £30 million for Ederson, who has two years remaining on his contract.
As the summer transfer window heats up, the potential moves of De Bruyne and Ederson to the Saudi Pro League could signal a significant shift for Manchester City and the players themselves, marking the end of an era and the beginning of new adventures in their illustrious careers.
