Kevin De Bruyne holds talks with next club as Man City exit nears

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was the subject of summer transfer rumours - with the Belgian's contract in England set to expire at the end of the season

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has opened contract talks with San Diego FC ahead of a potential move to the MLS outfit for their debut season in 2025.

De Bruyne, who was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer, is out of contract at the end of the season. The 33-year-old hasn't featured Pep Guardiola's side since suffering a groin injury against Inter Milan in the Champions League on September 12.

Before the injury, De Bruyne started each of City's first four Premier League games of the campaign. They currently sit second in the league table, a point behind rivals Liverpool. If he joins, the Belgian would be just the third player announced by San Diego.

The expansion side has already secured the signatures of PSV forward Hirving Lozano and West Brom defender Paddy McNair. The team will become the 30th in the ever-expanding MLS. They will be coached by former USMNT assistant boss Mikey Vares in their first season.

According to GiveMeSport, San Diego chiefs have held talks with De Bruyne's representatives over a summer 2025 switch. The player is believed to prefer a move to the United States over Saudi Arabia.

De Bruyne was coy over the summer when he was asked by Belgian media outlet HLN about the possibility of a move. "At my age, you have to be open to everything," he admitted. "You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the last stage of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that."

De Bruyne has won practically everything with City. Since arriving in 2015, the 33-year-old has claimed six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups, among other honours. He also helped City win their maiden Champions League crown in 2023.

He's also claimed a host of individual awards. De Bruyne is a two-time Premier League Players Player of the Year and has cracked five league Team of the Season squads. In 2019-20, De Bruyne broke former Aresnal forward Thierry Henry's record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign when he tallied 20.

The Belgian midfielder will miss Manchester City's weekend Premier League clash against Southampton at the Etihad on Saturday. Guardiola is unsure when De Bruyne may return: "Of course, I prefer to have all the squad because of the amount of games but it is what it is... hopefully he comes back soon but I don’t know yet."