Kevin De Bruyne’s stance on leaving Man City for big-money Saudi move revealed

The position of Kevin De Bruyne on his possible departure from Manchester City for Saudi Arabia has been disclosed.

De Bruyne hasn’t been able to play for Manchester City for a large portion of the season, but since recovering from an injury, he has shown everyone how excellent he is.

The Belgian midfielder has made 11 games since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for more than four months, and he has two goals and eight assists.

Although De Bruyne is currently the finest player in the Premier League, it is far from inevitable that he will stay at the Etihad Stadium in the future.

The 32-year-old’s current City deal is expiring in 18 months, and there are whispers that Saudi Arabian teams may try very hard to sign him in the summer.

De Bruyne, like his City teammate Bernardo Silva, reportedly rejected down an offer to join a Saudi Pro League team last summer that was worth €70 million per year (£59.7 million, or $75.7 million at current exchange rates), according to The Athletic.

While negotiations for a new contract have not yet begun, Sam Lee, the Athletic’s City correspondent, has revealed that the Belgian midfielder had intended to sign a new agreement and maybe retire from the team at the age of 35.

De Bruyne may still intend to do so, but his and his family’s distaste for the transfer is the main reason why it appears he will reject Saudi Arabia once more.

Lee also said that, should he decide to hang up his boots at City, De Bruyne has always thought about retiring at a Major League Soccer team.

However, Saudi clubs will be optimistic come summertime. Michael Emenalo, the sporting director of the Pro League, has a personal connection to De Bruyne because he assisted Chelsea in signing him from Genk back in 2012.

Depending on how De Bruyne heals from his major hamstring injury and whether they believe he can play at his peak level at 34 and beyond, City may decide not to grant him a new deal that satisfies him.