Where will De Bruyne go next season: Will he stay in Europe or go to another country?

As the 2024-25 season approaches its end, the future of Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has become one of the most concerned topics in international football. The 34-year-old Manchester City legend has confirmed that he will leave the Blue Moon Army who has played for ten years after the end of this season, and his next stop will not only relate to the end of his personal career, but also have a subtle impact on the landscape of European football. At present, European powerhouses such as Liverpool and Naples have extended olive branches, and the American Major League and the Saudi League have also expressed strong interest. De Bruyne's final decision will be based on a comprehensive trade-off of multiple factors such as competitive status maintenance, family factors and financial considerations.

Manchester City's farewell after ten years of glory

The fate of de Bruyne and Manchester City is about to come to an end. The Belgian midfielder has become one of the greatest players in club history since joining Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015. During his ten years at the Etihad Stadium, he made 418 appearances, contributed 108 goals and 177 assists, helping the team win 6 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League title and many domestic cup honors. However, with age and injuries, De Bruyne's form has declined this season, contributing only 6 goals and 8 assists in 36 appearances. Manchester City originally reached a preliminary agreement with De Bruyne in March this year to renew his salary, with a weekly salary reduced from £375,000 to £150,000, with a contract period of 1 per year. This arrangement not only considers players' desire to stay in shape to participate in the 2026 World Cup, but also meets Manchester City's contract renewal policy for players over 30 years old. However, as the season deepened, the two sides finally failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension, and De Bruyne announced in early April that he would leave the team after the end of the season.

Manchester City coach Guardiola gave this love player a high praise: "He is definitely one of the three to five players in the club's history. Every time he performs like this, I feel extremely relieved. He has paid too much for the team and me. "1 Despite this, the rational decisions of Manchester City's management eventually gained the upper hand, and the club decided to start the rejuvenation of the lineup and parted ways with this meritorious veteran. Once the news that the European giants' pursuit battle

De Bruyne left the team immediately attracted the attention of many European clubs. The latest news shows that new Premier League champion Liverpool has made an official offer to the Belgian. The Reds' head coach hopes to use De Bruyne's rich experience and still excellent technical capabilities to enhance the thickness of the midfield, especially in multi-line combat. Liverpool reportedly is willing to offer a "1+1" short-term contract with a weekly salary of about £250,000, which is much lower than his salary at Manchester City, but is still quite attractive.

Liverpool's interest in De Bruyne was not accidental. The Belgian was a Reds fan in his childhood, and Michael Irving was his favorite star 3. This emotional bond may be a plus for transfers. From a tactical perspective, De Bruy can form a healthy competition with Sobosloy. The two have different technical characteristics but complement each other, providing more changes to the Liverpool midfielder.

At the same time, Serie A leader Naples also joined the battle. The relatively slow pace of Serie A may be more suitable for older De Bruyne to stay in shape, and Napoli also has a key bargaining chip - De Bruyne's national teammate and friend Romelu Lukaku, who is trying hard to persuade his fellow Belgians to join. Naples is willing to offer longer contract years, but may not be as generous as Liverpool in terms of salary.

It is worth noting that De Bruyne had previously rejected the temptation of an annual salary of up to 70 million euros in the Saudi league, which shows that money is not the primary factor in his decision. The Belgians value competitive level and quality of life more, which gives European clubs an advantage in competition.

Possibility of transatlantic

In addition to internal transfers in Europe, the Major League of Professionals (MLS) has been one of De Bruyne's potential destinations. As early as February this year, there were reports that the negotiations between the MLS new army Santiago Football Club and De Bruyne were progressing smoothly, and the two sides were close to reaching an agreement. The living environment, language advantages (De Bruyne fluent in English) and relatively relaxed schedule are quite attractive to Belgians who consider family factors.

De Bruyne's wife was reserved about moving her family to Saudi Arabia, but was more receptive to the American lifestyle. This family factor is crucial in the decision-making process. In addition, MLS has attracted top stars such as Messi and Busquets in recent years, and its competitive level and attention have been improved, making it a decent "superiorship" choice.

However, there are also obvious drawbacks to choosing MLS - insufficient game intensity may affect De Bruyne's stay in shape, thus endangering his position in the Belgian national team. The 2026 World Cup is the last major goal of De Bruyne's career and he needs to ensure he has enough high-level opportunities to play at the club. This consideration may allow him to temporarily suspend his plan to cross the Atlantic and stay in Europe before the World Cup.

Reporter's opinion: Liverpool may become the best choice

Comprehensive analysis of various factors, the author believes that De Bruyne's most likely choice next season is to stay in the Premier League and join Liverpool. This prediction is based on the following points:

First, competitive factors are crucial. As the new Premier League champion, Liverpool will compete in the Champions League next season, which provides De Bruyne with the highest stage to showcase his talent. Although the rhythm and intensity of the Premier League game are highly demanding on the body, it can also best help him stay in shape and prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

Secondly, emotional factors cannot be ignored. De Bruyne has been a Liverpool fan since childhood, and this sentiment may become a decisive factor in his twilight years of his career. The warm atmosphere at Anfield Stadium and the long-standing tradition of the Reds are uniquely attractive to any player.

Third, family adaptability. Compared to traveling to Italy or the United States, staying in England means that De Bruyne's family does not need to experience cultural shocks and language barriers, and their children's education can maintain continuity. This stability is extremely important for 34-year-old professional players.

Finally, although financial aspects are not the primary consideration, the weekly salary of £250,000 provided by Liverpool is already generous in Europe, and the contract structure of "1+1" is flexible and reasonable, which not only gives the club room to adjust, but also provides players with the right to choose in the future.

Of course, Naples' Lukaku card and core position commitment should not be underestimated, and the comfortable life of MLS is equally tempting. But comprehensive evaluation, Liverpool provides a balance between athletics, emotions and life, most likely to be the next stop after De Bruyne's career.

Where is the final choice, De Bruyne's decision marks the end of an era. The most outstanding midfielder in the Premier League in the past decade is carefully planning the final chapter of his career. His choice is not only about individuals, but will also have a profound impact on the tactical system and locker room atmosphere of the reception club. The football world will closely monitor the next moves of the Belgian legend.