♦ Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly agreed personal terms for a move to Al-Ittihad
♦ The Man City playmaker has just one year remaining on his deal at the Etihad
♦ De Bruyne previously suggested he was ‘open’ to a move to the Saudi Pro League
Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly agreed personal terms to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.
After spending nearly a decade at the Etihad, the Belgian midfielder’s current deal at the club is set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Mail Sport reported in February that De Bruyne had been earmarked as a top target for the burgeoning Saudi Pro League, with officials prepared to step up their efforts to secure the Champions League winner’s signature this summer.
And, according to a report from journalist Rudy Galetti, Al-Ittihad have done just that, with the club said to have agreed terms with De Bruyne over a move.
The report goes onto claim that negotiations are said to be ongoing between Al-Ittihad and City in regards to a transfer fee for the 33-year-old, who arrived in Manchester from Wolfsburg for £55million back in 2015.
Kevin De Bruyne has reportedly agreed personal terms as part of a deal to join Al-Ittihad
De Bruyne has enjoyed a hugely decorated nine years at Man City, winning 15 trophies in total
De Bruyne could join the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante at the Saudi Pro League side
Al-Ittihad recently appointed former France and Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc as their new manager and boast several notable names among their ranks, including N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and Fabinho.
However, despite spending big last summer the Public Investment Fund-owned club were only able to finish fifth in the league, coming more than 40 points behind runaway leaders Al-Hilal.
This came after they had won the Pro League the previous season, with the 2023-24 campaign also seeing Al-Ittihad part ways with Nuno Espirito Santo as manager.
The addition of De Bruyne would be a huge coup for the club though, with the 33-year-old having enjoyed a stunning nine years at the Etihad.
Across 382 appearances for City, the Belgian has scored 102 goals and added 170 assists, while he has won 15 trophies at the club.
However, the links to the Middle East come after De Bruyne admitted last month that the large sums of money on offer would make a potential move hard to turn down in the latter stages of his career.
‘I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen,’ he told Het Laatste Nieuws.
‘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.
‘At my age you have to be open to everything. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.’
De Bruyne added: ‘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.’
The 35-year-old recently admitted he would be open to a move to the Saudi Pro League
De Bruyne claimed he’s had conversations over ‘an exotic adventure’ with wife Michele
Al-Ittihad recently appointed ex-Man United defender Laurent Blanc as the club’s new boss
The idea of leaving Manchester City has been something that De Bruyne said he has spoken about extensively with his wife Michele Lacroix.
Lacroix is said to be receptive to an ‘exotic adventure’, further strengthening suitors’ belief that De Bruyne, who also has interest from MLS clubs, can be enticed by an offer this summer.
Meanwhile, sporting director of the Pro League, Michael Emenalo – who signed De Bruyne at Chelsea from Genk in 2012 – attended one of City’s training sessions during the Club World Cup before Christmas and was keeping a close eye on the midfielder.
De Bruyne has already seen former team-mates Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte swap City for Saudi Arabia, while there is interest from the Pro League in City goalkeeper Ederson this summer, too.