Kevin De Bruyne ‘to affix second division membership’ in £60m payday after ‘constructive’ talks

Kevin De Bruyne’s contract is up at the end of the season – and he looks set to leave Manchester City in the summer with a move to the Saudi second tier on the cards

Kevin De Bruyne looks set to leave Manchester City in the summer and link up with a Saudi Arabian second division side.

De Bruyne, 33, is out of contract in the summer – and he’s been long since linked with a move away from the champions. The Belgian has been linked with the likes River Plate, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and San Diego FC.

And the American side revealed they had entered into contract discussions, but they faced a stumbling block when it came to his wage demands.

Last summer, De Bruyne was approached last summer about a move to Saudi Arabia and was offered around £59.7million per season to make the switch, but he turned it down.

De Bruyne has now entered talks with Saudi second tier side Neom SC, and they have been described as “serious” and “positive” by Foot Mercato with the Belgian not closed to the idea of joining the club.

Speaking last year ahead of the Euros, De Bruyne admitted he wouldn’t rule out a move to the Middle East.

“For Michele, an exotic adventure is OK. These are also conversations that we are increasingly having as a family,” De Bruyne told Belgian broadcaster VTM, according to newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws., external

“I still have one year of contract, so I have to think about what can happen.

“My eldest [child] is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play at City. Once the time comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.

“At my age, you have to be open to everything. You talk about unbelievable amounts in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.”