What is already certain, unlike the two examples cited, is that no player on the current squad is reaching the end of their contract. The third goalkeeper Scott Carson, who was concerned, has indeed just signed for one more season. Even if they will not be done with a bouquet of flowers and a speech, departures are obviously not excluded this summer.
The name of Kevin De Bruyne has thus been associated with a potential transfer to Saudi Arabia, where the Al-Hilal club would be ready to offer him an annual salary of 70 million euros. But the reality is very different. Barring any big surprises, the Red Devil will still be Citizen next season.
Not before 2025
The reasons are numerous: his contract which still runs until 2025 and which he intends to honor; the policy of Manchester City which has never sold one of its executives (the players who left in recent seasons were either at the end of their contract or without certainty of sufficient playing time); the alternative Lucas Paqueta who has just fallen through; Pep Guardiola’s desire to continue with him; and of course the desire of the player himself to stay and give himself the opportunity to prepare for his potential departure and receive a tribute commensurate with what he has offered to this club.
At the end of next season, the oldest member of the squad will also celebrate ten years at the club and could symbolically leave at the same time as Pep Guardiola, since their contracts end on the same date. At least, if he decides to embark on a final challenge. Like Toni Kroos or Luka Modric at Real Madrid, KDB could instead opt for an annual contract extension until he decides to retire as a Citizen.
On the other hand, a departure at the end of his contract would probably not send him to Saudi Arabia. But rather towards the United States. The Athletic revealed this week that the Red Devil entourage had already discussed with San Diego FC, the MLS franchise – led by Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour – which will join the North American league from the 2025 season. The timing would be in all good enough case and KDB would receive both a golden bridge, a last interesting sporting challenge and a deserved early retirement under the California sun, far from the rotten weather of Manchester.
Who is behind San Diego, who wants to strike big blows in the transfer window?
In the meantime, De Bruyne is in any case ready to take on a new challenge and win a 24th career collective trophy with the FA Cup. A week after celebrating the fourth consecutive league title, Manchester City could also become the first English club in history to complete two championship-cup doubles.
