Manchester City are familiar with selling players to clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
For instance, City have sold Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo to three separate clubs in Saudi Arabia over the past couple of years.
Another player from City’s squad who has been linked with a move to the Middle East from the Etihad Stadium in recent memory is Kevin De Bruyne.
Specifically, it was reported by TeamTalk back in July that De Bruyne had agreed personal terms with Al-Ittihad.
However, the Belgian ended up staying at City, where his current contract is set to expire in the summer.
Now though, a fresh claim about the 33-year-old’s future has led to one pundit and former City manager having his say on the situation.
Stuart Pearce drops Kevin De Bruyne amid Man City transfer rumours
Earlier this month, the Daily Mail reported that De Bruyne is likely to be a transfer target for the Saudi Pro League in the upcoming summer transfer window.
This then led to Stuart Pearce saying this on talkSPORT (15/10 17:41)when asked if City should consider selling De Bruyne in January so they can get some money for him before he potentially leaves as a free agent in the summer.
He said: “If I was making the decision as the manager with a vested interest I would say can we replace him and might it cost our chances of winning the Premier League or silverware by letting him go six months earlier?
“If the answer to that was we’re gambling on not winning the Premier League, European Cup, whatever, I would keep him.”
De Bruyne played down previous summer exit speculation
Back in September, following the reported links with a move to Saudi Arabia before entering the final year of his contract, De Bruyne said this about the previous transfer speculation surrounding him over the summer.
He said: “I haven’t spoken to anyone. There’s been a lot of noises and news. I said in the summer, I expect a quiet summer and that’s actually what happened.
“I’ve been on holiday, came back and started training. That’s it. Nothing to tell.”
Prior to that, the Blues manager was quick to shut down the speculation surrounding his star midfielder as Guardiola said De Bruyne would not be leaving City.
Now though, focusing on Pearce’s recent comments, it seems as though City may have to weigh up whether potentially cashing in on De Bruyne in January if a Saudi club comes calling would be worth possibly risking their chances of winning trophies this season.
