Kevin De Bruyne opens door to sensational transfer to Premier League rival

Kevin De Bruyne is weighing up his options for when he leaves Manchester City as a free agent at the end of June – and he is open to staying in the Premier League

Kevin De Bruyne says he cannot rule out joining one of Manchester City’s Premier League rivals when he leaves in the summer. De Bruyne announced recently that he will leave City as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old midfielder has won 16 trophies since joining City in 2015 and is one of the Premier League’s greatest ever players, with 71 goals and 119 assists in 282 appearances in the competition.

Although he has struggled with injuries in recent years, he showed he can still perform at the highest level when he masterminded City’s comeback from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace 5-2 on Saturday.

De Bruyne put a free-kick into the bottom corner to put City on the road to a comeback and laid on the assist for Mateo Kovacic’s goal while also knitting play together for Pep Guardiola’s side.

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The Belgium international has been linked with a move to MLS, with Inter Miami interested, while a big-money move to Saudi Arabia could also be a possibility.

However, speaking to Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft for Viaplay Football on Saturday, De Bruyne also opened the door to a domestic move. He said: “There is always a challenge, you know. I don’t know what’s going to happen next season. If teams come and then convince me that they have a nice sport project. I know I am obviously not the youngest anymore.

“I still think I am able to perform on the highest level. I don’t know what teams are interested or what they want to do. Whatever project [is] available – I am willing to listen. I love football, I love to play football and if a nice project comes and my family is also good with that, we will be able to make a decision.”

And when pressed on whether his career in England was over, De Bruyne added: “I don’t know. Honestly I don’t know. The decision to leave has not been long. Nothing can be decided in one week in the football world. I haven’t seen my family since the decision. I have to speak to them and then I will see whichever team wants me. So I don’t know. I have no idea.”

De Bruyne could command a contract worth a whopping £400,000 per week in the Saudi Pro League, but Mirror Football understands that a move to America would suit his family better. David Beckham’s Inter Miami are thought to be willing to offer him a contract, with Florida a real pull for the midfielder, who turns 34 in June.

For now, though, the focus is on securing a place in next season’s Champions League for Man City. “I’ve been feeling good for the last six weeks, so I’m really happy,” he said. “I feel fit and ready to go. I just want to play the football I can play. My job is to play good football and help this team win games.”

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