Manchester City midfielder reaches ‘verbal agreement’ with Saudi Pro League club – club ‘ready to let him go’

A “verbal agreement” is said to have been reached between Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne and a club from the Saudi Pro League.

The Belgian international is approaching the final years of his career as a professional footballer at the highest level and there are increasing doubts as to whether he will stay at Manchester City a little longer by extending his contract or whether he will decide to leave next summer.

Given his contract situation at the Etihad Stadium (his current contract runs until summer 2025), there are increasing talks about a possible move to Major League Soccer in the USA or the Saudi Pro League.

These talks have only intensified in recent weeks, with De Bruyne himself admitting that he is “open” to talks about a transfer to the Middle East, despite recently making it clear that he expects to be a Manchester City player next season.

Although Manchester City’s legendary number 17 is expected to wear the sky blue shirt for at least another 12 months, a simultaneous report has surfaced claims of a deal involving the ambitious Middle Eastern football division.

It is alleged that a delegation from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and some representatives of the above-mentioned Middle Eastern club spoke to the captain of the Belgian national team, who gave them his “approval” for the transfer.

However, De Bruyne’s fate is now “in the hands of the club” and the Premier League champions are reportedly “open” to letting the 33-year-old leave the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are most likely drawing up contingency plans in case Kevin De Bruyne leaves or the Belgian’s duties are reduced under Pep Guardiola from next season.

Some sources have already pointed to a growing admiration for Bayern Munich star and German international Jamal Musiala as a possible solution for a long-term future without De Bruyne.

Given Musiala’s outstanding performances at the ongoing European Championship in Germany and Bayern Munich’s apparent reluctance to sell the club this summer, a move to the Etihad Stadium in the near future remains unlikely, but not impossible.

Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen is also attracting a lot of interest from the personnel managers at the Etihad Stadium. But he too will probably stay with the Bundesliga champions next season and continue his work under the highly praised coach Xabi Alonso.