Saudi club 'determined to sign Kevin De Bruyne next year'

Saudi Arabian officials are reportedly working towards bringing Manchester City attacker Kevin De Bruyne to the Saudi Pro League next summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the headlines when he joined Al-Nassr earlier this year following his departure from Manchester United, and a number of big names followed him to the country over the recent transfer window.

Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho were among those to swap European football for Saudi Arabia over the summer, but Al-Ittihad were unable to sign Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah despite their best efforts.

Al-Hilal, Al Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad - the four clubs owned by the Public Investment Fund - have done the bulk of the standout business, but Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele, Demarai Gray and Georginio Wijnaldum all made the move to Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard.

Salah's future is again likely to be the subject of speculation next year, but according to Football Insider, Saudi Pro League officials are also determined to sign De Bruyne.

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The report claims that the Belgium international has been made aware of the interest, and there is a genuine chance that he could leave Man City for a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia.

De Bruyne's existing deal with the Citizens is due to expire in June 2025, and there is not believed to be anything imminent when it comes to potential contract talks.

The attacker has only played twice for Man City this season, as he injured his hamstring against Burnley in the Premier League on August 11, with the issue requiring an operation.

De Bruyne is not expected to be back on the field until the early stages of 2024, and it is then likely to take him a period of time to get back up to speed during a key stage of the campaign.

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The attacker made the move to Man City from Wolfsburg in 2015, and he has represented the club on 358 occasions, scoring 96 goals and registering 153 assists in the process.

De Bruyne has lifted five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League during a highly-successful period.

However, his future at the Etihad Stadium is now being called into question, and despite being one of the best-paid players in the Premier League, he is likely to be offered a substantial salary in Saudi Arabia.

Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte both left Man City over the summer to move to the Saudi Pro League.

Meanwhile, Citizens midfielder Rodri recently said that there needs to be a greater control of the club's transfer business due to the amount of European players moving to the country.