Kevin De Bruyne has refused to rule out joining another Premier League club once he departs Manchester City following the expiry of his contract this summer.
The Belgian midfielder captained City in the FA Cup final, which they lost to Crystal Palace.
What happened?
De Bruyne announced in April that he’ll be leaving the Etihad after a decade of service, during which he inspired the Cityzens to six Premier League titles.
He has played a prominent role for the dethroned champions during the run-in, starting six Premier League games on the bounce.
Why it matters for Kevin De Bruyne
The 33-year-old has just 11 goal contributions in 26 league outings, a reduced haul compared to his previous seasons.
De Bruyne is veering towards the twilight of his career, having established himself as an all-time Premier League great.
What comes next?
De Bruyne, speaking after Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat, has opened the door for a potential Premier League move this summer, saying “I want to play good football” and considering his family's needs.
He admitted that he has been in contact with other clubs over a potential switch, and when asked if any English clubs were a potential destination, he responded with “Maybe”.
Liverpool have only been tenuously linked, with more concrete reports suggesting that an array of MLS clubs are keen on acquiring the ageing star.
De Bruyne will aim to ensure City end 2024–25 in the Premier League’s top five, thus securing them a berth in next season’s Champions League.
City’s final two league outings are expected to be De Bruyne’s last in sky blue, with the man himself already saying that there’s a “big chance” he doesn’t play in the Club World Cup next month.
“I think in a way I have to take care of myself because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do?” De Bruyne explained to The Athletic.