Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian maestro who has defined an era at Manchester City, is on the cusp of a new adventure as his storied tenure with the Premier League giants nears its end. The 33-year-old midfielder, whose contract expires in June 2025, announced his departure from the Etihad Stadium earlier this month, marking the close of a decade that saw him win six Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and 16 trophies in total. As speculation swirls about his next move, a concrete approach from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire has emerged, signaling that De Bruyne’s future may lie across the Atlantic. “MLS side Chicago Fire make approach to sign Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer,” noted transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, highlighting the club’s ambition to lure the global icon with a tailored project.
De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City, where he’s been hailed as “one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in this country” by manager Pep Guardiola, is a seismic moment for the club and the Premier League. Since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £55 million, De Bruyne has racked up 106 goals and 174 assists in 413 appearances, earning two PFA Player of the Season awards and a third-place Ballon d’Or finish in 2022. His vision, pinpoint passing, and clutch performances—like his four-goal haul against Wolverhampton in 2022—have made him the heartbeat of City’s dominance. Yet, injuries and reduced minutes this season, with only 19 starts and six assists, have dimmed his once-unassailable presence. “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” De Bruyne wrote in an emotional social media post, reflecting on a journey that transformed his life and that of his family, including wife Michele and children Mason, Rome, and Suri.
The Chicago Fire’s interest is part of a broader race for De Bruyne’s signature, with MLS clubs like San Diego FC and Inter Miami also in the mix, alongside Saudi Pro League sides Al-Nassr and Neom SC. However, De Bruyne has expressed a preference for the United States, driven by family considerations and his ambition to shine at the 2026 World Cup, likely his final major tournament. “De Bruyne will assess all options in the next days and weeks, but Chicago Fire are now showing strong interest with a specific project to attract KDB,” Romano added, suggesting the club’s vision could sway the Belgian. Unlike the reported £1 million-per-week offer from Saudi’s Al-Ittihad last summer, which De Bruyne declined after family discussions, the MLS promises a lifestyle suited to his young family, with eldest son Mason, a promising player, potentially benefiting from American youth academies.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are bracing for a transformative summer. With no Profit and Sustainability concerns, thanks to recent player sales, the club invested £180 million in January on talents like Omar Marmoush, who has reduced De Bruyne’s starts. City’s sights are now set on Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, a 21-year-old German star seen as a long-term successor. “It was not easy for me to tell him it won’t continue,” Guardiola admitted, underscoring the difficulty of parting with a player whose consistency in “important games, the not important games, being there every three days” set him apart. De Bruyne’s final City appearance could come at the Club World Cup in the U.S., though his contract’s June 30 expiry makes a knockout-stage role unlikely without a short-term extension, a decision he’s yet to make. “It’s a good question,” Guardiola said. “He has to decide.”
De Bruyne’s openness to new challenges keeps other possibilities alive. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next season,” he told Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft, leaving the door ajar for a European stay or even a Premier League rival. Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have shown interest, while a return to Belgium’s Gent remains a sentimental option. For now, De Bruyne is focused on City’s push for Champions League qualification, with a potential Etihad farewell against Bournemouth on May 18, 2025. As he weighs his options, the Chicago Fire’s approach represents a bold step toward a new legacy, blending his on-field genius with the allure of a fresh start in MLS, where stars like Lionel Messi have already paved the way.