July 21st 2024.
It seems like a big change may be on the horizon for Kevin De Bruyne, as reports have emerged that the midfield star is considering a move to the Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. De Bruyne, who has been an integral part of Manchester City's success under Pep Guardiola for the past decade, joined the club back in 2015 for a hefty fee of £55 million.
However, as De Bruyne returns from Euro 2024, there is growing uncertainty surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium, with only one year left on his contract. In fact, just last month, the Belgian himself mentioned the possibility of a move to the Middle East, citing the "incredible amounts of money" being offered.
And now, it seems like De Bruyne has taken a major step towards a potential exit, as journalist Rudy Galetti has reported that he has agreed personal terms with Al-Ittihad. The Saudi club, who finished fifth in the league last season, recently appointed former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc as their head coach and boasts a star-studded lineup including the likes of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.
Of course, with one year left on his contract, a transfer fee would still need to be negotiated with Manchester City in order for this move to go through. But if it does, it would mark the end of an era for De Bruyne, who has won a total of six Premier League titles with the Sky Blues.
When asked about the possibility of a move to Saudi Arabia earlier in the summer, De Bruyne told Belgian publication HLN that at his age, he has to be open to all opportunities. He went on to explain that the potential for earning an immense amount of money in the last stages of his career is something that he has to consider, especially as he has been playing football for 15 years already.
It seems like De Bruyne might not be the only Manchester City player making the move to Saudi Arabia this summer, as Al Nassr is also reportedly interested in their first-choice goalkeeper Ederson. However, City is reportedly holding out for a transfer fee of £42 million, having rejected an initial bid of £25 million. It remains to be seen whether these moves will actually come to fruition, but one thing is for sure - the transfer market is heating up and it's definitely going to be an interesting summer for football fans.
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