De Bruyne told to ‘reject Chelsea offer and complete mega-money Saudi move’
Kevin de Bruyne is unlikely to remain in the Premier League after leaving Man City despite speculation about a potential return to Chelsea.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 33-year-old must decide where he sees his future.
A return to the Bundesliga or move to the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer is considered more likely at this stage.
This comes after Football Insider revealed De Bruyne would have to take a pay cut to remain in England as clubs will not match the money on offer from Saudi and MLS teams.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that De Bruyne is unlikely to re-join Chelsea amid concerns about his reputation if the move didn’t got to plan.
Kevin de Bruyne set to make Man City exit decision
Brown told Football Insider in February that De Bruyne wants to move to the MLS after quitting Man City at the end of the season.
Now, 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 he will choose between the Bundesliga, Saudi Pro League and MLS.
“It all depends on where De Bruyne wants to go,” he told Football Insider.
“I don’t think going to another club in the Premier League is going to be his best option.
“There’s too much at risk – it’s his reputation, the money that would be involved, and the risk that he’s just not quite 100 per cent any more.
“At 33 years old, it’s understandable that he would’ve dropped off a bit.
“So I think the best move for him would be to move on and go elsewhere.
“If he wants to keep playing in a top league, there are going to be offers for him from Germany, but if not he’s got offers from Saudi and from America.
“Those, for me, are his three best options and it will depend on where he sees himself playing.
“It will come down to his decision, whether he thinks he can still cut it at the top level, or whether he wants to make a bit more money and wind down his career.”
Man City have Florian Wirtz on four-man shopping list
As De Bruyne closes in on his departure from the Etihad, Man City have already begun identifying potential replacements for the midfielder.
Football Insider revealed on 11 April that Man City have identified four De Bruyne replacements including Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
More recently, Football Insider revealed that Wirtz is Man City’s number-one target as Pep Guardiola is keen to work with the midfielder.
The Bayer Leverkusen star’s contract is set to run until 2027, but there is a growing feeling he will be allowed to move on this summer amid rising interest.
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