Manchester City fans are set for a bittersweet end to the season, as Kevin De Bruyne prepares to leave the club he has given his best years to.
Manchester City confirmed a few weeks ago that Kevin De Bruyne‘s contract would not be renewed and that the “exceptional” player would be leaving the Etihad Stadium.
It is unknown where De Bruyne will be plying his trade next season, though there has been a considerable amount of speculation relating to a potential MLS move.
BBC Sport journalist Shamoon Hafez has now spoken about the various avenues available to De Bruyne, including an update involving Chicago Fire.
Hafez also looked at whether City could make a dramatic U-turn on De Bruyne’s future in the wake of his recent superb displays for the club.
Manchester City U-turn on Kevin De Bruyne deemed ‘highly improbable’ as Chicago Fire talks on the cards
Hafez has reported that a move to the United States is the likeliest option for De Bruyne at this stage.
MLS clubs San Diego and Inter Miami both had options to talk to De Bruyne, but they opted not to push forward.
‘If a move to the MLS transpires, then Chicago Fire are now in pole position to sign him as they have the first option for talks,’ Hafez wrote on BBC Sport.
‘And sources say De Bruyne’s representatives are to meet with club officials.’
Saudi Arabia is also an option, but ‘a move to the Middle East is unlikely at this stage as he is understood to prefer a move to the USA or Europe for family lifestyle reasons.’
As for the odds of a City U-turn on De Bruyne, Hafez deemed it ‘highly improbable’ as the decision came from Txiki Begiristain and Pep Guardiola.
‘De Bruyne is one of the Premier League’s highest earners and it is unimaginable that City would offer an extension on his current £400,000-a-week terms,’ he wrote.
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Could Kevin De Bruyne retire at the end of the season?
The final option mooted in the article was retirement, which Guillem Balague speculated could be a possibility.
However, Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur disagreed, saying De Bruyne wants to play at the 2026 World Cup.
Terreur speculated that De Bruyne would be looking for a league where there is less pressure and fewer fixtures to keep him ticking along until the next World Cup.
