The Saudi Pro League is showing interest in Kevin De Bruyne once more, but it is still anticipated that the Belgian will stay longer with Manchester City before joining the Major League Soccer.
Kevin De Bruyne is wanted by Saudi champions Al Hilal (Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Ahead of the summer transfer window, advisors for Kevin De Bruyne met this week with ten Saudi Arabian clubs in the Middle East.
Although the 32-year-old playmaker isn’t believed to be interested in making the huge financial move to the Saudi Pro League, Al Hilal has long considered the Belgian master as a dream signing, and they’re working hard to catch his attention.
In addition to De Bruyne, Roc Nation Sports also represents players like Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Martinelli, and Lucas Paqueta. And during a quick three-day business trip, top representatives Alan Redmond and Renato Martinez from the agency that rapper Jay-Z founded had in-person talks with champions Al Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad, among others, in the last few days.
According to sources, De Bruyne is still expected to stay longer with Manchester City before moving to the Major League Soccer (MLS), which is his desired destination.
When the six-time Premier League winner ultimately decides to end his remarkable City career, he will have a number of suitors in the United States in addition to San Diego FC, who have already held private preliminary talks with his entourage to express interest in a potential transfer.
Pep Guardiola stated in February that it was up to De Bruyne to make clear his future plans. Guardiola has also hinted that he may leave the Etihad Stadium at this time next year.
When asked if Saudi Arabia was interested in his powerful leader, Guardiola responded, “It’s a question for him.” He should stay, I hope, but I’m not sure. Yes, I do listen to some of the links, but I’m not sure if he has any offers. I’m not sure if Saudi Arabia is interested in him. Of course, I would prefer that he remain here. However, everyone is a fellow human.
Several elite Saudi teams, who invested an incredible £701.3 million on transfers in the previous summer, are also interested in De Bruyne’s teammates Ederson and Bernardo Silva. The 30-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper’s future at City is now in doubt, and despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Bernardo still prefers a move to Barcelona.
Kevin De Bruyne favours a move to the MLS over Saudi Arabia when he eventually leaves Man City ( Image: Getty Images)
Al Hilal was also interested in signing Bernardo last summer, but he turned down their tantalizing offer and agreed to new terms at City, where he is now protected by a £50 million release clause.
Later, in an interview with RTP, he clarified, saying, “I would be lying if I said I hadn’t given it any thought [Saudi Arabia].” The intensity of playing in a UEFA Champions League semifinal and witnessing the excitement in the [Etihad] stadium when we defeated Real Madrid in the semifinals or defeated Inter Milan in the championship game piqued my interest. I was unwilling to give up on it.
