Manchester City have offered Der Bruyne a new contract.
“Kevin De Bruyne is attracting interest from Saudi Pro League officials, but Manchester City want him to sign a new contract with the club,” British outlet Goal.com reported on Nov. 21.
By joining the Saudi Pro League, Der Bruyne could earn close to £1 million a week. Despite this, Der Bruyne is happy with his life in Manchester with his wife and three children at Man City.
Der Bruyne has 18 months left on his current £375,000-a-week ($638.4 million) contract. However, City plan to extend his contract until the summer of 2026.
When Man City signed Der Bruyne from Wolfsburg in 2015, there were some concerns. But Der Bruyne has since risen to become one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, winning five league titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, and the Champions League.
He recently returned to action after an extended absence due to injury. City cruised to a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield in the third round of the 2023/24 FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England on July 7. The game marked the long-awaited return of Der Bruyne to City’s lineup.
Der Bruyne came on as a substitute in the 13th minute of the second half, sending the Etihad Stadium crowd into a frenzy as they jumped to their feet and sang their favorite player’s chants.
Der Bruener scored an offensive point on his return. In the 29th minute, Oscar Babb was drawing a defender on the sideline and slid the ball forward when he saw Der Bruyne break in from the flank. Der Bruyne immediately took one touch to send in a cross that Jeremy Dockoo finished with a header.
He also had a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win over Newcastle. After the game against Newcastle, City manager Pep Guardiola said, “The Brazilian is a legend. He is loved by the City fans and I hope he can help us through the last few months. We need players like him.”
He continued: “Der Bruyne has to play a special role in the final third. It’s not about tactical ability, it’s about talent – individual talent. I think we can all agree that he had a really good game against a physically good team like Newcastle.”
Despite the Saudi interest and the hefty salary that would come with it, it seems likely that De Bruyne will want to stay in England for at least the next few years while he still performs at a high level. He will be in action when City host Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup.