Kevin De Bruyne is discussing with his family the possibility of relocating to Saudi Arabia as a free agent next year, the Manchester City playmaker said Tuesday.
When his contract with the English Premier League winner expires next June, the Belgium great will be 34 years old and have spent ten seasons there.
“You’re talking about incredible sums of money during what might well be the twilight of my career,” De Bruyne told Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws when asked if he would consider moving to a Saudi club.
“We are increasingly having such conversations as a family,” he said, noting that his 8-year-old son “only knows England. He is also asking how long I will play for City.”
Saudi league clubs, funded by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on salaries and transfer costs to entice top players since Cristiano Ronaldo left nearly 18 months ago.
Karim Benzema and Neymar later joined, but Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé declined their offers last year.
Saudi officials have stated that they aim to sign more young players at the prime of their careers, but a generational talent like De Bruyne would almost certainly be an exception.
In his nine years with Manchester City, his visionary passing, game reading, and shooting have helped the club win six Premier League titles.
“At my age you have to be open to everything,” De Bruyne said about his future.
He might also receive offers to play in Major League Soccer one year before the United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
De Bruyne has never won a tournament title for Belgium, despite being a member of the country’s so-called golden generation over the last decade.
He spoke to the Belgian news source while in the Belgium camp ahead of the European Championship, which begins on June 14 in Germany.
The Red Devils compete in a group with Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine.