Early indications on Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City future after BUMPER Saudi Arabia offer

Kevin De Bruyne prefers to stay put at Manchester City despite a tempting offer from the Saudi Pro League ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 32-year-old is widely regarded as the best midfielder in world football and as he steps further into the wrong side of 30, he is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia – an increasingly popular destination for the best European players in the last 12 months.

De Bruyne, who joined Manchester City in 2015, committed his long term future to the reigning Premier League champions when he put pen to paper in 2021 and extended his contract till the end of the 2024/25 season.

With just over a year remaining on the Belgium international’s current deal at the Etihad Stadium, clubs across the globe are monitoring the playmaker’s future as he steps into what would be regarded as the twilight of his career.

Several reports out of England this week suggested that interest in De Bruyne from the Saudi Pro League is intensifying ahead of the summer – a season after De Bruyne’s ex-City teammates Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte moved to the gulf themselves.

However, as per Football Transfers, De Bruyne has unfinished business at Manchester City and is not looking to call time on his trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium just yet.

It is believed that De Bruyne, who negotiated terms over his current deal himself in 2021, is yet to open talks over a potential contract renewal with City, who would be desperate to keep hold of one of their greatest ever midfielders beyond the end of next season.

Manchester City are braced for widespread interest in the services of Bernardo Silva again this summer and should the Portuguese end up getting his wish of a desired move closer to home, the Blues will step up their pursuit of West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, who was on Guardiola’s radar in the summer.

De Bruyne has struggled with hamstring injuries in the last 18 months – being forced off in City’s maiden Champions League final victory against Inter Milan in Istanbul in 2023.

The five-time Premier League winner lasted minutes on the opening day of this league campaign before injuring his hamstring – which kept him out till after the New Year – and Manchester City will be wary of how long the midfielder can keep going at his peak when they discuss his future in east Manchester.