Kevin De Bruyne has said he’s “open to everything” as rumours of a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League swirl, with the playmaker entering the final year of his contract at Manchester City. De Bruyne, who turns 33 this summer, has discussed the move with his family and admits that the “incredible amounts of money” is something he has to think about.
Kevin De Bruyne has said he’s “open to everything” when it comes to leaving Manchester City, amid long-term rumours linking the midfielder to a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League.
The 32-year-old, who will turn 33 at the end of June, will soon enter the final year of his contract at City, and has discussed a move abroad with his family, with his wife Michele willing to consider the idea.
De Bruyne has made 382 appearances in nine years at City, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League. He missed five months of this year’s campaign as he underwent hamstring surgery.
“At my age, you have to be open to everything,” De Bruyne said to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
“You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.
“For Michele, an exotic adventure is okay. These are also conversations that we are increasingly having as a family.”
Reports from all the way back in October linked the playmaker to the Middle East as another in a line of big names in an ongoing exodus to the league.
Al Nassr was one of the clubs mentioned at the time, with Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly contacting the Belgium international in the hopes of convincing him to make the switch.
The Riyadh-based side boasts a star-studded squad with Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic and ex-City pal Aymeric Laporte.
“I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen,” De Bruyne added.
“My eldest is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play for City. Once the moment comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.
“If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money. Before that, I had to play football for 15 years. I may not even reach that amount yet.
“Then you have to think about what that could mean next. But at the moment, I haven’t had to think about that yet.”
De Bruyne is currently with the Belgium international squad in preparation for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
The side crashed out of the Qatar World Cup in the group stages, signalling a sudden end to a golden generation that many believe, with the likes of De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, should have won major tournaments.
While De Bruyne recognises that the favourites tag is long gone, he still believes his side poses plenty of threat this summer.
“I don’t think we are top favourites, but I don’t think there are many countries keen to play us,” De Bruyne said in a news conference on Tuesday.
The first of their two pre-tournament friendlies, against Montenegro, will mark De Bruyne’s 100th cap.
“I’ve played against many top teams and at all the major tournaments like the World Cup and the European Championship. We have had, as a team, some good moments in those competitions,” he said.
“I could have played a lot more, but I’ve had some injuries in my international career. But I’m very happy to play this 100th game, especially at home in front of our supporters.”
Belgium are in Group E with Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine and kick their tournament off on Monday, June 17 against Slovakia.