Latest Developments
- De Bruyne is out of contract this summer.
- San Diego FC chief confirms talks with Manchester City star.
- De Bruyne's wages could be an issue.
Whisper+ Analysis
Authenticity (4.5/5): Club chief confirms talks
San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps has confirmed he has held discussions with De Bruyne's agent.
As per The Sun, Heaps said: “Those rumours, I don’t know where they come from. I talked to the agent. The agent has many players, obviously. Every time I see it, I say, ‘Are you the one that is saying all this stuff?' He’s a fantastic footballer and he loves this area.”
While Heaps confirmed talks had taken place, he stopped short of providing any detail about the discussions and whether a move seems plausible at this stage.
Value (3/5): Free transfer but concern over wages
San Diego will be enticed by the prospect of signing a player of De Bruyne's calibre on a free transfer. The Man City captain is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning he is free to talk to clubs from abroad.
However, the MLS franchise are understood to have concerns over the player's wage demands, which could prove to be a major stumbling block.
Suitability (4/5): Experienced star for new franchise
De Bruyne could be the perfect candidate to bring some star power to San Diego in their inaugural MLS season. Having made 280 Premier League appearances and won multiple honours, De Bruyne would surely have a positive influence on the rest of the San Diego squad.
Upgrade (3/5): Injury concerns
De Bruyne would undoubtedly be the star player in Mikey Varas's squad if he were to join San Diego. However, his recent injury struggles will be an obvious concern for the MLS franchise. Having a player of De Bruyne's quality will be of little use if he is unable to stay fit for a long stretch of games.
Logic (3.5/5): Can he still cut it in the Premier League?
From De Bruyne's perspective, it could make sense to move to the MLS after struggling to find his best form this season. His dip in performance levels combined with his injury struggles makes a Man City departure seem likely.
The Belgium international is also believed to be a target for the Saudi Pro League, which could be another viable option if he fails to sign a new Man City contract.
Whisper+ Verdict: 18/25
This seems like a move that could be a realistic one if De Bruyne leaves the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season. However, the playmaker's wages may harm San Diego's chances of pulling off the move.
