Stefan Borson

Sun 27 April 2025 12:38, UK

Aston Villa are understood to be considering making an ambitious move to sign Kevin De Bruyne this summer. 

De Bruyne has confirmed he will leave Manchester City once his contract, which is believed to be worth around £20million a year, expires on 30 June.

Sky Sports reported on 23 April Villa have held international discussions about signing the Belgium international on a free transfer.

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider a deal for De Bruyne would likely depend on Unai Emery’s side qualifying for the Champions League this season.

Villa currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, four points behind fourth-place Man City, with five Champions League spots available to top-flight clubs.

De Bruyne, who is set to turn 34 in June, has registered five goals and eight assists in 35 appearances this season. 

Aston Villa to prioritise Marcus Rashford deal

Borson revealed Villa will likely prioritise a deal for Marcus Rashford ahead of De Bruyne, with the forward’s loan deal from Manchester United including a £40million option-to-buy clause.

He told Football Insider: “A lot of what Villa can do will depend on what happens over the next few weeks in terms of the Champions League.

“Without the Champions League, then there’s probably a question mark over all of their business. I don’t even know whether even if they get Champions League, Asensio, Rashford and any potential move for Kevin De Bruyne would happen.

“Kevin De Bruyne says with City he would have signed for the same terms that he’s on now. Those are sort of £400,000 a week. 

“It might only be a one-year deal, but are they really going to pay let’s say £20-25million, which is about 10 per cent of their wage bill for one player, who is 33 and turning 34? I doubt it.

“But they’re definitely not going to do it if they’re not in the Champions League. There are two stages I think for Villa. They will have a plan for the Champions League if they can qualify, and they’ll have a plan for if they don’t.

“I think probably before they get down to De Bruyne and thinking about him, I would think that Rashford is probably higher up on the priority list and the decision-making before they deal with De Bruyne.

“The other part of it is the idea that you would sell a younger player to facilitate the signing of De Bruyne. I think that’s pretty unlikely as well, so I don’t know. I take that with a pinch of salt.

“I think De Bruyne has some of the same issues that Rashford has in that there are just not that many teams these days outside of Saudi Arabia that can pay wages £250,000 plus.” 

Aston Villa stance on Morgan Rogers to Man City revealed

Football Insider revealed on 9 April Villa are confident of keeping Morgan Rogers this summer despite potential interest from Man City.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been linked with a shock move to bring the 22-year-old back to the Etihad this summer.

Sources say the England international is happy at Villa Park after signing a contract running until June 2030 last year. 

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