Two frontrunners have emerged in the race to sign Kevin De Bruyne ahead of his contract with Manchester City expiring.
De Bruyne’s deal at the Etihad Stadium is due to expire in the summer of 2025, at which he will be 34 and completed a decade of service with the Premier League champions.
He has been struggling for fitness and playing through pain in recent times, with the club forced to make a decision on his long-term future in the near future.
The Belgian has been heavily linked with the Saudi Pro League but the MLS has also been touted as an attractive destination for one of the Premier League’s greatest ever players.
And according to a new report from Graeme Bailey in TBR Football, offers from across the pond may be on the table sooner rather than latter.
It’s said that San Diego FC do not want to wait until the summer to try and get De Bruyne and have already held talks with the former Chelsea and VFL Wolfsburg man.
The Californian outfit want to bring De Bruyne in for the new MLS season before it gets underway in February and can make an official proposal in January.
They would therefore have to pay a fee to sign him earlier than the summer, rather than on a free transfer.
San Diego are the newest team to join the MLS and have Juan Mata in their ownership group. They have already been assembling their squad, which now includes former Napoli winger Hirving Lozano and ex Manchester United player Paddy McNair.
Kevin De Bruyne has two MLS sides interested in signing him. Image: Getty
They want De Bruyne as a designated player but there is also strong interest from David Beckham’s Inter Miami, who won the MLS Supporters’ Shield last season.
The prospect of De Bruyne linking up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez would be nothing short of mouthwatering but it is difficult to see De Bruyne ending his time with City in the middle of a season where they have been well below par.
De Bruyne was asked about his contract in a recent press conference and revealed he is relaxed about the situation after putting discussions on hold following an injury which has disrupted his season.
“I had a conversation in the summer, but then I had the injury so I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to talk about that,” he said.
“I need to be back on the pitch and be myself again. There’s no rush, I don’t feel uncomfortable, I’m not worried.”
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