Kevin De Bruyne has stirred up the football world by hinting at a possible departure from Manchester City this summer, putting Saudi Arabian clubs on high alert.
The Belgian midfielder, who turns 33 next year, has one year remaining on his contract with the Premier League champions.
With no clear direction on his future in England, De Bruyne is contemplating his next career move.
It was widely reported that officials from the Saudi Pro League were preparing to ramp up their efforts to secure De Bruyne’s services.
In a recent interview with Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, De Bruyne acknowledged the financial allure of the Middle East, admitting that the substantial salaries on offer make it a tempting option as he nears the twilight of his career.
“I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen,” De Bruyne stated. “At my age, you have to be open to everything.
The amounts of money being discussed are incredible, especially as I approach the end of my career. It’s something you have to consider.”
De Bruyne elaborated on the potential financial benefits, noting, “If I play there for two years, I could earn an extraordinary amount of money.
It’s money that might take me 15 years of playing elsewhere to match. You have to think about what that means for the future. However, I haven’t made any decisions yet.”
Discussions about a possible exit from Manchester City have been a significant topic between De Bruyne and his wife, Michele Lacroix. Lacroix appears open to the idea of an “exotic adventure,” which further bolsters the confidence of potential suitors in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
De Bruyne also has interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, adding another layer of intrigue to his future plans.
