Man City granted Kevin De Bruyne wishes before he leaves this summer
Kevin De Bruyne’s glittering chapter at Manchester City is drawing to a close, marking the end of a truly iconic era at the Etihad Stadium. The Belgian maestro, widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, is out of contract at the end of the calendar year. Once his deal expires, it will conclude a remarkable decade in which De Bruyne helped transform City into a domestic and European powerhouse. Former City defender and pundit Micah Richards even went as far as to label De Bruyne’s career at the club as the greatest in its history.
While the news of his impending departure has saddened fans, what has come as a surprise is De Bruyne’s recent revelation that Manchester City never offered him a new contract. This apparent lack of effort from the club to retain him has reportedly left the 33-year-old frustrated and disillusioned. After all he’s contributed to City’s success—numerous Premier League titles, FA Cups, League Cups, and a Champions League triumph—his exit feels oddly understated.
Though it’s not yet clear where the midfield general will take his talents next, several suitors are already queuing up. Inter Miami and Chicago Fire from Major League Soccer are among the most interested, with the latter believed to be pushing hard to secure his signature. According to sources, De Bruyne is intrigued by the Chicago project and is keen to explore the possibilities in MLS, particularly as he has no interest in a move to Saudi Arabia. America is quickly becoming the most likely destination for the departing City captain.
However, there’s an added twist to the story. De Bruyne is reportedly looking to leave Manchester City even earlier than expected. The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer complicates the timeline of his departure. FIFA has granted clubs the option to extend expiring contracts by two weeks, as the tournament doesn’t wrap up until July 13. City’s campaign is set to begin on June 18 with a fixture against Wydad AC, but De Bruyne is eager to skip the tournament entirely.
According to The Daily Star, De Bruyne is expected to hold talks with Manchester City officials to formally request exclusion from the Club World Cup squad. His reasoning is twofold: he wishes to avoid the risk of injury, which could jeopardize any summer move, and he also wants a proper break ahead of starting a new chapter in his career. Given his immense service to the club, City may be inclined to grant him this wish, though it would mean his farewell match might come sooner than fans had hoped.
Ideally, the club is hoping De Bruyne’s final bow will come at Wembley Stadium, potentially lifting the FA Cup one last time in sky blue—a fitting send-off for a player who has defined a generation at Manchester City.
As it stands, negotiations between De Bruyne and the club are imminent. A mutual agreement could be reached in the coming weeks, with clarity expected once City’s season concludes. Whether he departs with another trophy or not, one thing is certain: Kevin De Bruyne’s name will be etched in Manchester City’s history books forever.
