De Bruyne Weighs Options After Disappointing Season

Kevin De Bruyne considers his future after a disappointing season with Manchester City, weighing options for his next move.

Kevin De Bruyne is uncertain about participating in the Club World Cup with Manchester City, citing concerns over potential injury risks that could impact his future club plans. With his contract expiring this summer, De Bruyne will leave City after a decade, and there's been speculation about a possible short-term deal for the tournament. However, De Bruyne seems hesitant, prioritizing his long-term prospects over the competition.

FIFA has introduced an additional summer transfer window for teams participating in the Club World Cup, allowing them to register new players specifically for the tournament. This rule enables players like Kevin De Bruyne, who would otherwise be unavailable due to injury, to be added to the squad for the competition. Manchester City's first match in the tournament is against Wydad AC on June 18th in Philadelphia.

Kevin De Bruyne is unlikely to participate in the Club World Cup with Manchester City, given his uncertain future. ”It does not make any sense. But that happens when you push in new tournaments in the middle of a contract situation,” he said, questioning the timing of the tournament amidst his ongoing contract negotiations with the club. De Bruyne's contract expires this summer, and he hasn't yet secured a new deal.

Kevin De Bruyne is prioritizing his health and future prospects over participating in the Club World Cup with Manchester City. “I have to take care of myself, because if I get injured in the Club World Cup, what am I going to do? Nobody's going to take care of me at that point, so there's a big chance I probably won't play it, but I don't know, maybe yes,” he said. De Bruyne's potential last major outing with City ended in disappointment with a 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace. The Belgian midfielder has been instrumental in City's success, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League since joining in 2015.

Kevin De Bruyne's Future Plans

Kevin De Bruyne is taking his time to decide on his future, but hasn't ruled out joining another Premier League club. After Manchester City's FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, De Bruyne hinted that his decision will depend on the clubs that approach him. “I don't know. It depends who comes,” he said when asked if he'd ideally stay in the English top-flight.

De Bruyne has already had conversations with potential suitors, including clubs in the Premier League, but wants to prioritize his family's needs. “I have a family, kids, I have to take care of a decision that suits everybody,” he explained. Possible destinations include Napoli and MLS clubs like Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, with whom he's reportedly had discussions.

Potential Destinations:

• Premier League Clubs: De Bruyne hasn't ruled out staying in the English top-flight, saying “maybe” when asked if he'd consider another Premier League club.
• MLS Clubs: Chicago Fire have reportedly made a concrete approach, with a strong offer on the table. Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, is another possibility.
• Napoli: The Italian club has shown interest, but no deal is imminent.

De Bruyne's contract with Manchester City expires this summer, and he'll leave the club after a decade, during which he won six Premier League titles and the Champions League. He wants to “play good football” and make a decision that suits his family.

“I have a family, I have young kids, I have to take care of a decision that suits everybody, not just me. When I was 20 years old and by myself, I could make a decision that was very easy, but now it's a bit more complex.”

As we prepare for the #FACup final, let's take a look back at some of our best goals en route to Wembley! 💫

Which is your favourite? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/C3J9QUj4di

— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 15, 2025

Disappointing Season for Manchester City

Manchester City's FA Cup final loss highlighted Kevin De Bruyne's inconsistent form, which may have contributed to Pep Guardiola's willingness to let the club icon depart. De Bruyne's career has been impacted by injuries over the past two years. When asked if his next club could be in the Premier League, De Bruyne responded with a simple “Maybe.” The season has been underwhelming for City, especially after four consecutive title wins prior to this campaign.

Despite a disappointing season, Manchester City still aims to secure a Champions League spot next year. They have upcoming matches against Bournemouth and Fulham that could help them climb back into the top five. Kevin De Bruyne acknowledged the season's shortcomings, saying, “Of course it's not been the season we wanted. We want to win all the time, but this season we have not done it.”

“You have to take it on the chin, and sometimes it doesn't go the way that you want to, but we tried, and you have to move on.

“I think comparing to a lot of players, I've won way more than others, so I will be forever happy and grateful for what we have done as a team, what they have given me.”