Kevin De Bruyne’s future at Manchester City remains uncertain as the Belgian star has reportedly made a decision about his next move, and it could involve a new adventure across the Atlantic.
At 33, De Bruyne has built a glittering career with City, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a Champions League trophy. However, with his contract nearing its final year, negotiations between his representatives and the club are ongoing, but extending his stay in Manchester seems “unlikely.”
Instead of joining the highly publicized exodus to the Saudi Pro League, De Bruyne is said to be more drawn to the allure of Major League Soccer, particularly the family-friendly lifestyle in the U.S.
According to Sky reports, San Diego FC, a new MLS franchise set to debut in 2025, has emerged as the leading contender to secure De Bruyne’s services. The club already boasts notable names like Hirving Lozano and former Manchester United player Paddy McNair, and they are reportedly capable of offering a salary that rivals what City currently pays De Bruyne.
Over the summer, De Bruyne dismissed rumors about his future, stating that it had been “quiet” and that he hadn’t been “entertained by anybody or spoken to anybody.” However, speculation has continued to swirl, with earlier reports in May suggesting his agents had opened talks with San Diego FC. Rumors of interest from Saudi clubs also surfaced around the same time, but MLS seems to be his preferred destination.
In an interview with Belgian outlet HLN, De Bruyne hinted at his openness to exploring various options as he approaches the twilight of his career. “At my age, you have to be open to everything,” he remarked. “You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career.”
He acknowledged the financial temptation of Saudi Arabia but stressed that it wasn’t yet a priority. “Sometimes you have to think about that. If I play there [Saudi Arabia] for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that, I had to play football for 15 years… But at the moment, I haven’t had to think about that yet.”
De Bruyne has been sidelined with an injury since mid-September, and his return to the field remains uncertain. Pep Guardiola, when asked about De Bruyne’s status ahead of their Champions League match against Sparta Prague, admitted the situation was still unresolved.
“No, it’s not a big issue,” Guardiola said. “But he doesn’t feel completely fine, and Kevin is not 22 years old anymore. He has to be completely fit, and he doesn’t feel comfortable at all. He told me, ‘Still I don’t feel good.’ So if you don’t feel good, take your time.”
For now, De Bruyne’s next chapter remains undecided, but his potential move to the U.S. could mark a major shift in his illustrious career.
