Manchester City might be heading towards a fourth title in a row but they could still lose one of their top stars this summer to Saudi Arabia.
City are one of the teams being targeted by the Saudi Pro League this summer as the Middle East once again looks to make a huge splash in the transfer market.
Saudi deal makers have eyes on a number of top stars in the game, with Liverpool’s Mo Salah expected to among those targeted again.
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However, it is at Manchester City where concern could arise.
And according to journalist Miguel Delaney, one of City’s superstars has a huge offer on the table.
Kevin De Bruyne considering Manchester City exit with £60m Saudi deal offered
According to Delaney, who was writing in his latest Reading the Game newsletter for The Independent, there is a decision to be made from De Bruyne and City’s side.
Writing about what he knows on the situation with De Bruyne, Delaney shared the following update.
“Kevin De Bruyne hasn’t yet said ‘no’ to the offer from the Saudi Pro League, which stands at around €70m a year. The Belgian’s preference would be to stay if a reasonable deal is offered, but this is where it’s interesting. Manchester City can be slow in extending contracts of players in their thirties.
“De Bruyne is obviously one of their greatest ever players, but there has maybe been the slight perception from outside that he himself is slowing down. His impact in the biggest games hasn’t been quite as devastating. All of this is layered by the fact Pep Guardiola actively wants two attacking midfielders in the summer, as this newsletter has discussed before, with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta among the options.”
Kevin De Bruyne should stay at the top
Money doesn’t need to be a motivating factor for De Bruyne here, he has enough of that from his mega contracts with City over the years.
Realistically, despite being injured a bit in recent years, he is still one of the very best midfield players in world football and there’s no reason to go to the Saudi league with so much left to offer.
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Of course, City might see things in another way and decide it’s in their interests to offload the Belgian.
But since signing for £55m in 2015, De Bruyne has been a revelation and it would be a shame to see him go before being eligible for testimonial next year.
Hopefully, for City and the Premier League’s sake, De Bruyne does indeed stay put.