Kevin De Bruyne puts family first following talks with wife over Saudi Arabia move – Poised to turn down £156 million contract

Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne will put his family first when it comes to his career, moving closer to turning down an eye-watering proposal from Saudi Arabia.

The Belgian is expected to sit down to discuss his future with the Premier League champions upon his return to training ground duties early next month, with an expected resumption date of August 5 ahead of the FA Community Shield against Manchester United.

Concerns over the future of De Bruyne have been consistently intensifying over the course of the summer weeks, with the player’s contract set to expire at the end of the forthcoming 2024/25 season and City retaining hopes of an extension.

But given the player’s contributions to Manchester City’s success since he first joined in the summer market of 2015, the club have quite rightly given him the time and space to make a decision in his own time, and with the input of those closest to him.

And the latest information would appear to indicate a decision having been made by Kevin De Bruyne alongside his wife, in what would see them turn down the opportunity to earn a staggering financial package in the Middle-East.

According to the information of the Daily Star’s Jeremy Cross, Kevin De Bruyne is now poised to turn his back on a staggering £1 million-a-week contract in Saudi Arabia and stay at Manchester City, with his family’s best interests in mind.

It is detailed that the 33-year-old has been holding talks with Al Ittihad, and had agreed in principle a three-year-contract worth £156 million, with the Saudi Pro League side’s manager Laurent Blanc confident of landing the Belgian.

However, De Bruyne will now remain at the Etihad Stadium for one more season at least, with the report detailing that the midfielder discussed a move to Saudi Arabia with his wife Michele, and is reluctant to uproot his children from Manchester.

The couple are reported to have had particular reservations about changing the schooling of their eldest son Mason, who is eight, while Manchester City bosses are now keen to agree a contract extension and will open talks following the club’s pre-season tour of the USA.

Despite De Bruyne being expected to stay at Manchester City this summer, the club are not expected to shut down their target of recruiting in central midfield positions, with Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes continuing to stand as a primary solution.

City recruitment bosses are aware that the club requires a suitable back-up option to Rodrigo in defensive midfield, whilst there is a feeling that the more advanced central role require a refresh amid doubts over the long-term sustainability of De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

As such, there is a belief among some within the club that the 26-year-old Brazilian is the ideal candidate to offer himself as a strong option deeper in midfield, whilst also possessing the necessary creative traits to operate further forward.