‘De Bruyne to Aston Villa hits stumbling block amid new concerns’
Kevin de Bruyne would need to take a significant pay cut if he was to join Aston Villa this summer, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 33-year-old is raising the same concerns as Marcus Rashford.
There are also concerned about his level of fitness at this stage of his career and whether he would be the right choice for Villa and where they want to go.
This comes after Football Insider revealed De Bruyne would have to take a pay cut to remain in the Premier League and it would be a “surprise” to see him stay in England.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 1 May that Villa are exploring a deal for De Bruyne as an alternative to Marco Asensio.
Villa believe signing De Bruyne on a free transfer could be a better deal than the fee and wages needed to lure Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa to make ‘huge’ Kevin de Bruyne decision
Brown told Football Insider that Saudi and MLS clubs are eyeing De Bruyne and he is unlikely to remain in the Premier League at this stage.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that Villa have got to make a “huge” decision about the deal.
“Kevin de Bruyne is an incredibly talented player,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s the type of player that any team would want in their squad, so of course Villa are interested.
“The main problem, and it’s the same issue they’re having with Rashford, is that his wages are too high and he’s going to have to take a pay cut.
“Not a lot of players, or their agents, are willing to do that.
“Then, you have to ask if he’s really what Villa need at this stage, because yes he’s available but that isn’t always the be-all and end-all.
“Any team would want him at his best, but he’s now at the stage of his career where he’s not going to start every game in a season, especially not in Europe.
“So then you’re paying all that money for a player who will give you 60 minutes per game once a week.
“That’s why City made the decision to let him go.
“It’s a position Villa want to improve in, and De Bruyne would be an asset, but I’m not sure he’s what they need physically.
“They’ve got to make a huge decision and balance it out – is the money worth what you’d be getting?”
Leon Bailey exit news emerges at Villa Park
Aston Villa are set to endure a busy summer transfer window with both incoming and outgoing deals on the cards ahead of the off-season.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 30 April that Villa plan to accept offers for Leon Bailey to make room for a new attacking signing with better end product.
The Jamaica international has two years left on his contract at Villa Park after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in February that Bailey is not part of Unai Emery’s plans for the future amid concerns about his consistency.
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