Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders in his generation, has confirmed that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024-2025 season as a free agent, after a decade at the club.
De Bruyne, 33, has attracted the interest of several clubs after announcing his departure from Manchester City. According to recent information, the following teams and leagues have shown interest:
- Saudi Pro League: Teams like Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadsiah and Neom SC, which militate in the second Saudi division, have shown interest in the Belgian. De Bruyne had already received an impressive offer of £59.7 million per season in the past, but decided to reject it. Despite that, his close circle has continued to contact Saudi clubs. However, it seems that the player is not prioritizing this option, as publications in X and several reports suggest he prefers a more competitive destination to stay in the face of the World Cup 2026.
- Major League Soccer (MLS): San Diego FC, a new team that will join the MLS in 2025, has been showing a real interest before the season begins, and other league franchises are also watching it closely. De Bruyne has mentioned earlier (in June 2024) that he is “open” to the idea of moving to Saudi Arabia, but sources like GIVEMESPORT indicate that his preference is MLS, taking into account both his family and his preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
- Europe: Clubs such as the Bayern of Munich and the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are considered among the favorites by the betting houses, with quotas of 9/1 and 6/1 respectively. There has also been an interest on the part of Turkish clubs such as Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, and even River Plate in Argentina, which has a quota of 18/1. De Bruyne has commented that he is not afraid of the idea of returning to England or playing in Spain, although he has made it clear that he will not return to Chelsea while there is a certain manager in charge.
- Player preferences and their environment: De Bruyne and their representatives have been proactive, contacting Saudi Pro League clubs and exploring options in the MLS. However, the Belgian seems to prioritize a destination that allows him to remain competitive for the 2026 World Cup, his last big tournament. In November 2024, he said, “I can continue to make a difference on this team, and as I feel it, I know I can play at the highest level.” This suggests that you are looking for a club where you can play a leading role, which could rule out options like Neom SC in the second Saudi division.
Statistics of Kevin De Bruyne
In its prime (2017-2021):
During his best stage in Manchester City, De Bruyne was a complete midfielder, combining vision, game creation and gorilla capacity. Here are some outstanding statistics (per season, average in Premier League):
- Season 2017-18: 37 matches, 8 goals, 16 assists. 2.9 key passes per game, 81% accuracy in passes, 2.1 successful regates per game.
- Season 2019-20 (picture): 35 matches, 13 goals, 20 assists. 3.2 key passes per game, 82% accuracy in passes, 1.8 shots per game. He was appointed Player of the Year of the Premier League.
- Season 2020-21: 25 matches (injured), 6 goals, 12 assists. 2.7 key passes per game, 80% accuracy in passes.
- Total in its prime: In this period, it accumulated 118 assists in Premier League, only surpassed by Ryan Giggs (162), and was key in the consecutive titles of the City.
Season 2024-2025 (until April 2025):
This season has been a real challenge for De Bruyne. He has seen a significant decrease in his role, partly due to injuries, the arrival of new talents such as Omar Marmoush, and some tactical decisions by Pep Guardiola. According to the reports, it has not been able to have a decisive impact since January 2024, when it contributed to victory 3-2 against the Newcastle, noting and attending from the bench.
- Matches played: 12 titles in Premier League (until April 2025), with appearances mostly from the bench.
- Goles and assists: Specific data are not available, but it is mentioned that it has been “a shadow of itself”, without significant contributions in goals or assists.
- Minutes: It has been unused in several parties, which reflects its minor relevance in the current scheme of the City.
Technical and tactical analysis of Kevin De Bruyne
Technical aspects:
- Vision and Pass: De Bruyne is known for his ability to “make impossible passes,” as described in USA Today. His precision in long passes and his ability to find companions in small spaces make him an elite gaming creator. In its prime, it averaged 3 key passes per game, and its pass sonar (according to Sky Sports) shows a wide and effective distribution.
- Medium distance range: It has a powerful and accurate shot, especially from outside the area, which allows it to contribute with goals (106 in 413 matches with the City).
- Regate: Although it is not your strong, it has 1.8 successful regates per game in its prime, which allows you to overcome rivals in the middle field.
- Versatility: You can play as a central midfielder, “10”, or even in a more delayed position as a creative pivot.
Tactical aspects:
- Rol in the system: In the Manchester City of Guardiola, De Bruyne has been the axis of offensive play, acting as a box-to-box midfielder with freedom to advance and create. Your tactical intelligence allows you to read the game and exploit spaces, either with diagonal passes or incorporating the attack.
- Pressure and Recovery: Although it is not a defensive midfielder, it provides in high pressure, a pillar of the Guardiola system. However, their defensive intensity has decreased with age.
- Current limitations: At the age of 33, De Bruyne has lost some explosiveity and resistance, affecting his ability to keep up for 90 minutes. This, combined with recurrent injuries, has reduced its impact by 2024-2025.
Lace in Spanish teams
Although there are no specific reports about the direct interest of Spanish clubs in De Bruyne, he has mentioned that he is not afraid to play in Spain. Let’s see how it could fit into the most outstanding LaLiga teams that might be interested: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
Real Madrid:
- Tactical lace: The Real Madrid of Carlo Ancelotti (or a possible successor like Zidane, according to rumors) uses a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with a midfield led by young people such as Tchouaméni, Camavinga and Bellingham, and veterans like Modric (who could soon leave). De Bruyne could take the role of Modric as a creative midfielder, providing vision and long passes to connect with fronts like Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. His experience in big games (as Champions finals) would be a plus.
- Advantages: Their ability to break lines with passes and their half-distance shooting would add an extra dimension to the Madrid attack, which sometimes depends too much on the speed of its ends.
- Challenges: The physical intensity of the midfield of Madrid could be a problem for De Bruyne, whose resistance has decreased. In addition, the club is focused on rejuvenating its template, and a 34-year-old player might not fit into their long-term strategy.
Barcelona:
- Tactical lace: Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona has adopted a 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on possession and high pressure. De Bruyne could play as “10” behind Lewandowski, or even as the most late midfielder next to De Jong or Gavi. Your vision and passes would be ideal for connecting with extremes like Raphinha or Lamine Yamal, and your experience would help a young team handle key games.
- Advantages: Barça’s style of possession fits with De Bruyne’s fortresses, and its ability to assist fronters like Lewandowski would be lethal. In addition, the club needs a leader in the midfield after the departure of Busquets and the injuries of Pedri.
- Challenges: Flick’s high pressure requires an intensity that De Bruyne can no longer sustain constantly. In addition, Barcelona has financial problems, and although De Bruyne would be free, his salary could be an obstacle.
Atletico de Madrid:
- Tactical Lace: The Atletic of Diego Simeone plays a 5-3-2 or 4-4-2, with a more defensive approach and quick transitions. De Bruyne could act as a creative central midfielder, distributing long balls to fronts like Griezmann or Julián Álvarez. Your mid-distance shooting would also be useful in a team that sometimes lacks goal from outside the area.
- Advantages: Your experience and quality in the pass could give Atlético a plus in closed matches, where they usually need creativity to break defenses. In addition, Simeone values players with a winning mentality, something De Bruyne has to spare.
- Challenges: The physical and defensive style of Atletics does not fit entirely with the current features of De Bruyne, who needs freedom to shine. Their lack of defensive intensity could be a problem in the Simeone system.
Conclusion
Kevin De Bruyne, despite his physical decline, remains an elite midfielder thanks to his vision, technique and experience. Saudi Pro League, MLS and Europe (such as Bayern and PSG) are interested, but the player seems to prioritize a competitive target for the 2026 World Cup, with preference for the MLS on Saudi Arabia. In Spain, it would fit better in Barcelona for its style of possession, although Real Madrid could benefit from its creativity if it seeks a replacement for Modric. The Atletic would be a less likely choice due to Simeone’s physical demands. Your final decision will depend on your desire to continue competing to the highest level and needs of your family.
