Kevin De Bruyne next club - Saudi Pro League stance, Lionel Messi option, Man City plan
Latest Manchester City news and gossip with the latest on Kevin De Bruyne's future after he confirmed he will leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer
Kevin De Bruyne confirmed the news on Friday that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
The Belgian's contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire at the end of the season, meaning he will leave City as a free agent in the summer. De Bruyne first joined City in 2015 from Wolfsburg and has gone on to make more than 400 appearances for the club, winning 14 major trophies including six Premier League titles.
A departure this summer will see De Bruyne's time as a City player come to an end after 10 years at the Etihad. He will still have the chance to win a 15th major trophy with the club having an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest later this month.
Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at what has been said and reported about De Bruyne's future.
Lionel Messi option
It has been reported by talkSPORT that De Bruyne looks set to move to the United States when he leaves City. The report claims a move to Major League Soccer looks likely to be where De Bruyne will be playing his football next season, although San Diego FC is apparently not in the running for his signature.
De Bruyne would join several big names in moving to the US, including Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami. The move could come 12 months before the US hosts the World Cup in the summer of 2026.
Kevin De Bruyne statement in full
De Bruyne issued an emotional statement confirming that he would be leaving City when his contract expires at the end of the season. The statement was posted on De Bruyne's social media channels, including X.
"Dear Manchester," De Bruyne wrote. "Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading.
"So I'll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player. Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes.
"That day is here— and you deserve to hear it from me first. Football led me to all of you—and to this city.
"Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people... gave me EVERYTHING.
"I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what — we won EVERYTHING.
"Whether we like it or not, it's time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michèle, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family.
"'Manchester' will forever be on our kids' passports— and more importantly, in each of our hearts. This will always be our HOME.
"We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride. Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.
"Let's enjoy these last moments together! Much love, Kdb."
Saudi Pro League links
It was last summer that rumours first emerged that De Bruyne could leave City, with the Saudi Pro League tipped to be a potential destination. The 33-year-old addressed the speculation at the start of the season.
"I haven't spoken to anyone, to be honest," De Bruyne told BBC Radio Manchester in September. "There has 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 for four weeks, came back and started training. That was it. Nothing to tell. I've not been entertained by anybody or spoken to anybody."
However, speaking in a press conference ahead of international duty, he said: "At my age, you have to be open to everything. You talk about unbelievable amounts in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that."
Pep Guardiola reaction
Soon after De Bruyne confirmed his future exit, Pep Guardiola gave his pre-match press conference ahead of City's clash against Manchester United this weekend.
"A sad day," Guardiola told reporters when asked for his thoughts on De Bruyne's announcement. "A happy day for the fact that the pleasure personally that I lived this time with him. What he gave all of us, his humanity and of course I don't have to say his influence on our success in the last decade.
"It would be impossible to imagine that without him. A sad day because a part of us is leaving. When Vincent (Kompany) left or Sergio (Aguero) left or David Silva left, and I would say more names, it is a sad day.
"But still we have 10 games and hopefully 11, and six games at home that we can still enjoy with our fans and I'm pretty sure he will get the love and the recognition from all of us that he deserves.
"His assists, his goals, His vision in the final third is so difficult to replace. Over how many years and games, that makes him unique. This is a business and important players have to perform well and managers have to perform well.
"Any person can discuss their performance and in this last decade he has been outstanding. We won a lot of trophies and he has been involved in every single one. I think we will remember him. He's part of this club.
"The club said to him the doors are open for the rest of his life. Whatever he wants to do, he's part of the family of this club. The impact of some players transcends even what they do on the pitch and Kevin is one of them."
Next club odds
According to Betfair, a move to Saudi Arabia is the most likely option with odds at 4/5, joining the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte. A move to the MLS is not far behind at 11/4, while a reunion with Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich comes in at 9/1, as things stand.
Galatasaray (20/1), Fenerbahce (25/1) and River Plate (25/1) are backed are bigger odds. One outsider in the market is a spectacular return to Genk coming in at 40/1.
*Odds were correct at 2pm on Friday, April 4. Subject to change.
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