Manchester City could demand a £50 million-plus fee for Kevin De Bruyne amid growing interest from Saudi Arabia.
According to Football Insider, the Saudi Pro League clubs interested in signing Kevin De Bruyne might have to pay a £50 million-plus fee. Manchester City are open to the player’s wishes and would let their talismanic playmaker leave if he wants a new chapter in his career.
In more than a decade of Manchester City’s dominance in English football, the signing of Kevin De Bruyne might have had a bigger effect on their fortunes. The talismanic playmaker’s consistent performances have peaked every year and may have culminated with last season’s treble.
Unfortunately for Pep Guardiola, he could not keep up his team’s momentum with the Belgian on board owing to an injury suffered early in the season. On the flip side, the Catalan boss may have learnt ways to play without their talismanic playmaker, which may come to benefit Manchester City for the longer term.
Some reports suggested Manchester City are now taking a cautious approach towards handing De Bruyne a new contract. Whether that leads to his exit next summer remains the question, as there are some hard decisions on the club’s hands regarding their talismanic star.
Fortunately for them, Saudi Arabian clubs are sniffing around the midfielder and aim to sign him for their league next year. Al-Nassr have reportedly sounded out a move to the Belgian, as the league are targeting him and Mohamed Salah in their next phase of notable transfers.
With the 2034 FIFA World Cup also likely to fall into Saudi Arabia’s lap after recent developments, they will make an effort to improve the profile of the Saudi Pro League. Signing some of the well-known names like De Bruyne and Salah would certainly help them in that aspect.
Another report stated that Saudi Arabian clubs are prepared to hand a lucrative contract to De Bruyne. It makes complete sense to do so for a player of his quality and profile. One might assume he’s on par with the likes of Neymar or Karim Benzema in that aspect.
With Manchester City reportedly open to ideas, they could demand a £50 million-plus fee for their talismanic playmaker from Saudi clubs. De Bruyne will have a year left on his current deal; the club’s top earner might leave for a new adventure if he wishes.
Guardiola would love to have De Bruyne in his team for years to come. The Belgian encompasses the club’s values and their manager’s style of play. However, with the 32-year-old likely to leave one day, the Manchester City boss must find ways to play without him, something he’s already been doing this season.
