EXCLUSIVE: De Bruyne to reject Saudi Pro League move in favour of Man City stay

Steve Kay

• Updated: 24 Feb 2024 18:07 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne will not leave the club to join the Saudi Pro League this summer despite reported interest, FootballTransfers has been told.

The 32-year-old has reportedly been identified as a key transfer target for Saudi Arabia ahead of the summer window, with suggestions that Man City are bracing themselves for an offer that could exceed €117 million (£100m).

However, we have been informed that De Bruyne has no intention of leaving Pep Guardiola’s side this summer.

The Belgium international has less than 18 months left on his existing deal at the Etihad Stadium, which runs until 2025, although he has been offered a one-year extension by the club, which De Bruyne is yet to sign.

Despite interest from the Middle East, we understand that De Bruyne wants to continue his career at Man City, with the goal of adding to his impressive trophy cabinet. The former Chelsea and Wolfsburg midfielder has won 17 pieces of silverware since his move to Man City in 2015 and will not push to leave the club this summer.

De Bruyne has always spoken of his desire to return to Genk before his playing career ends and this remains on his mind.

Although the financial allure of the Saudi Pro League convinced his Man City team-mates Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez to leave Guardiola’s side in 2023, De Bruyne doesn’t want to end his time at the Etihad Stadium just yet.

Saudi Pro League prepared for summer spending spree

While De Bruyne is not keen on a move to Saudi Arabia this summer, fellow Premier League superstars Mohamed Salah and Heung-min Son are on the Saudi Pro League’s radar ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

FootballTransfers understand that both players are being chased by Al-Ittihad, who remain unsure of Karim Benzema’s future at the club.

Liverpool rejected an offer in excess of €150m for Salah last summer, but the Egypt captain remains a key transfer target for the richest football league in the world.