Ready to do anything to be considered the new stronghold on the football planet, Saudi Arabia was very active during the last summer transfer window. With millions and huge salaries, it secured the services of many stars looking for a bounce back or a final challenge in their career, like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Marcelo Brozovic and Sadio Mané. Rather discreet since the start of this new summer session, Saudi Arabia is moving its pawns forward tentatively and seems to have mainly targeted the north of England, more precisely Manchester, to make its future purchases.
Courted for many months by the Saudis, Kevin De Bruyne is at a turning point in his career. After having won everything with Manchester City, the Skyblues playmaker’s contract ends in June 2025. Since then, the question of a departure from Manchester City, at the end of a season in which he has not been spared by injuries, has resurfaced. Questioned on this subject by the Belgian press, the Red Devils star had openly discussed this possibility.At my age, you have to be open to everything. You’re talking about incredible sums of money for what could be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about it. If I play there for two years, I could earn an incredible amount of money. Before that, I must have played football for 15 years. I may not have even reached that amount yet.” he conceded to HLN.be.
Saudi Arabia wants to dig into Manchester!
But while Kevin De Bruyne is just coming off an elimination at Euro 2024 with Belgium, the Belgian international (105 caps, 28 goals) seems to have finally decided on his future. According to information relayed by SPORTthe 33-year-old midfielder has reportedly finally agreed to join the Middle East this summer and has reached an agreement with Al-Ittihad. Fifth in the Saudi Pro League last season, the Jeddah-based club did not have the results they expected at the start of the season and has already undergone a transformation by announcing the departure of Marcelo Gallardo. Eager to return to the top of the league, Al-Ittihad intends to carry out an ambitious transfer window in which Kevin De Bruyne would be a first prestigious recruit.
If Al-Ittihad must now find common ground with Manchester City, who would not be against the departure of the 33-year-old player who arrived in the summer of 2015 from VfL Wolfsburg, Saudi Arabia also wants to turn to its Manchester neighbor, Manchester United, to poach another Premier League star. According to the English press, two Saudi teams have obtained the green light from the Red Devils to negotiate the arrival of Bruno Fernandes. Currently in Germany to play the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 against the French team with Portugal this Friday (9 p.m.), the Portuguese attacking midfielder is considering Saudi Arabia as a serious option for the rest of his career, but intends to give his answer once the European Championship is over. Case(s) to follow then…
