Kevin De Bruyne open to transfer speculation with Saudi Arabia talk, wife looks forward to ‘exotic adventure’

Kevin De Bruyne, with one year left on his Manchester City contract, is drawing interest from the Saudi Pro League.

June 4, 2024

Kevin De Bruyne Looks To Saudi Move — Michael Regan/Getty Images

Kevin De Bruyne has one year left on his contract with Manchester City, and the Saudi Pro League has shown significant interest in him as they aim to attract top global talent. De Bruyne has confirmed he intends to complete his contract at Manchester City, marking a decade of service. However, the Belgian star is now considering his options post-City and has discussed potential future destinations, including Saudi Arabia, with his wife Michele.

In an interview with Belgian publication HLN, De Bruyne stated, “For Michele, an exotic adventure is okay. These are also conversations that we are increasingly having as a family.”

“I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen. My eldest is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play for City. Once the moment comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.”

When asked about the Saudi Pro League’s interest, De Bruyne commented, “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. Then you have to think about what that could mean next. But at the moment I haven’t had to think about that yet.”

De Bruyne could potentially join the growing list of elite European players moving to the Middle East, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, and Aleksandar Mitrovic. He has also been linked to Major League Soccer’s expansion side San Diego FC, though the financial offer from Saudi Arabia is likely to be much higher.

Over the next year, De Bruyne will deliberate on his future, consulting with clubs, his family, and advisors to make the best decision. For now, his focus is on the upcoming Euros with Belgium as he aims to secure his first international title.