Paul Merson has admitted that he would be “gutted” if Kevin De Bruyne chose to sign for a team in the Saudi Pro League.
It was reported in the final week of February that if Manchester City received an offer in excess of £90 million for the midfield maestro, they would be willing to part ways with him.
However, Pep Guardiola publicly admitted soon after the speculation that he would like the Belgian maestro to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Paul Merson admits he would be “gutted” if Kevin De Bruyne made Saudi Arabia transfer
Contrary to speculation, it was also claimed that the 32-year-old would not be “totally against the idea” of a move to the Saudi Pro League.
The £54 million (The Mirror) man has two goals and 12 assists since returning from injury and is set to play a crucial role in City’s side until the end of the season.
Paul Merson has now admitted that if Kevin De Bruyne decided to leave Manchester City to sign for a side in Saudi Arabia, he would be upset.
“He’s been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and to be honest, I’d be gutted if he went there”, he said on Sportskeeda.
“I can understand if someone like Mohamed Salah were to move to Saudi as that could be a huge coup for the SPL considering his stature in the Arab world but if I’m [Kevin] De Bruyne, I doubt I’d be swayed by a big-money move to the Middle East.”
If Kevin De Bruyne does leave, Manchester City have Phil Foden
Paul Merson has a point about Kevin De Bruyne, who perhaps should be against the idea of going to a Saudi Arabian team when he continues to be at his pomp.
But if the former VFL Wolfsburg midfielder does leave to join the Saudi Pro League, City could breathe a sigh of relief about the fact that Phil Foden could succeed him and unlike most clubs, they could perhaps avoid having to spend a massive sum to replace a legend like him due having an in-house solution at their disposal.
In that sense, Manchester City can consider themselves lucky.
