Manchester City FC could be on the brink of losing its captain and one of its key players, as rumours of a potential exit for Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne circulate. According to sports journalist Rudy Galetti, De Bruyne has reached a verbal agreement on personal terms with Al-Ittihad, a club in Saudi Arabia, which could see the 33-year-old making a surprising transfer during the current market.
Manchester City, also known as the ‘Sky Blues’, have reportedly accepted De Bruyne’s departure. What remains to be seen is whether the two clubs can agree on the transfer fee. However, indications suggest that Al-Ittihad is willing to meet whatever price Man City demands for the Belgian star.
De Bruyne’s contract with Manchester City is due to expire in 2025. In a recent interview with Belgian newspaper ‘Het Niewsblad’, De Bruyne confirmed having a conversation with Michael Emenalo, the sporting director of the Saudi league. He also hinted at the possibility of staying in England, leaving fans and pundits in suspense.
Al-Ittihad, on the other hand, has had a tumultuous season. The club recently sacked its coach, Marcelo Gallardo, two days ago following a series of disappointing performances. The team finished fifth in the league and were eliminated early from other competitions, such as the cup and continental competitions. Under Gallardo, the team played 33 matches, recording 15 victories, 14 losses, and 4 draws.
Adding to the club’s woes, the relationship between the Argentine coach and one of the team’s stars, Karim Benzema, was less than amicable. Gallardo had reportedly demanded Benzema’s dismissal, a move deemed unreasonable by the club’s president.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Al-Ittihad’s next coach could be Stefano Pioli, a former coach of AC Milan and Inter. Pioli’s task would be to maximize the potential of the club’s European stars, including Benzema and potentially De Bruyne, to compete with other leading clubs in the Arabian region such as Al-Hilal, which boasts Neymar, and Al Nassr, home to Ronaldo.
This summer is set to be a pivotal one for De Bruyne. Apart from deciding his club future, the Belgian international also needs to make a decision regarding his future with the Belgian national team. Belgium, despite boasting a so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of players, has failed to live up to expectations in recent tournaments, leading to speculation about the future of some of its key players, including De Bruyne.
In summary, while nothing has been officially announced, the football world waits with bated breath for the confirmation of De Bruyne’s next move. Will he leave the blue half of Manchester for the sandy shores of Saudi Arabia or decide to stay put? Only time will tell.