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Transfers

Journalist says £54m star has held ‘informal talks’ about Man City exit, the club want him to stay 

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Manchester City are used to seeing some of their key players make moves away from the club.

For instance, the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Joao Cancelo, Julian Alvarez and Cole Palmer have all waved goodbye to the Etihad Stadium in recent years.

Despite the significant number of big-name players who have left City over previous transfer windows, Pep Guardiola has still been able to see his side maintain their dominance in English football.

Specifically, the Blues became the first side to win four consecutive Premier League trophies last season and are currently in the race to land a fifth.

However, some behind-the-scenes details have come to light regarding the potential exit of another very important figure in the City squad.

Chelsea FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Kevin De Bruyne holds talks over Man City exit

In a recent post uploaded to his official X account, journalist Ben Jacobs said this about the situation.

He said: “San Diego have held informal talks with Kevin De Bruyne. Sources believe De Bruyne prefers a switch to MLS over Saudi, but three SPL clubs are interested. #MCFC still want De Bruyne to extend.”

De Bruyne was linked with a City exit last summer

City paid £54m to sign the midfielder from Wolfsburg back in 2015. Since then he’s made 388 appearances for the Citizens, scoring 103 goals and supplying 171 assists along the way.

Back in July, it was reported that De Bruyne had verbally agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, although a move never materialised.

In fact, Pep Guardiola said that De Bruyne would not be leaving City in the previous summer transfer window.

More recently, it was claimed that San Diego FC are ready to pay De Bruyne the same annual salary (£15.3 million) that he currently gets at City to land a deal for him in the summer.

As things stand, the 33-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that he’d be leaving City as a free agent if he doesn’t extend his deal.

Now that Jacobs has claimed that the Belgian has held preliminary talks about a move to San Diego but also that City want him to extend his contract at the Manchester club, it’s safe to say that this situation will be one to keep an eye on over the next few months.