The British "Daily Mail" reports that Kevin De Bruyne, the 33-year-old Belgian midfielder, is set to leave Manchester City and join Al-Ittihad, a club that features stars like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté. Ongoing negotiations between the two clubs are focused on finalizing the transfer fee for De Bruyne, who has a contract with Manchester City through the summer of 2025.
The move comes as Saudi Arabian clubs continue to attract European talent, defying expectations that this trend might slow down. De Bruyne, a key player for Manchester City and a Premier League champion, is reportedly drawn to the lucrative opportunities offered by Al-Ittihad. Despite his recent disappointment with Belgium’s early exit from the Euro, De Bruyne’s decision is influenced by the financial prospects and adventure of relocating to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ittihad, coached by Laurent Blanc, is already home to notable players such as Benzema, Kanté, Fabinho, and Jota. The team, backed by the Saudi Investment Fund, finished fifth in the league last season, trailing the champions Al-Hilal by over 40 points. De Bruyne’s move is seen as part of a broader trend of high-profile players joining the Saudi Pro League.
In recent comments, De Bruyne expressed his openness to exploring new opportunities and emphasized the financial benefits of such a move. With his 33rd birthday recently celebrated and a successful career highlighted by multiple championships and the 2023 Champions League win, De Bruyne is reportedly being offered a substantial financial package for his final playing years.
ADD A COMMENT :