The summer of 2025 has brought a whirlwind of transfer speculation, but few stories have stirred as much intrigue as Liverpool’s fleeting pursuit of Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne. As the Belgian maestro’s decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium drew to a close, whispers of a sensational move to Anfield sent shockwaves through the football world. A trusted insider confirmed that a “short conversation” took place between Liverpool and De Bruyne’s representatives, revealing the Reds’ bold ambition to lure the 33-year-old playmaker to their ranks. Ultimately, De Bruyne chose Napoli over a Premier League stay, but the brief flirtation with Liverpool, his boyhood club, has left fans and pundits buzzing about what might have been.
De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City was confirmed in April 2025, when he announced his contract, set to expire on June 30, would not be renewed. “I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision,” De Bruyne said, expressing surprise at City’s call to part ways despite his belief that he could still perform at an elite level. His injury-plagued 2024-25 season, limited to 17 Premier League starts, and City’s struggles—culminating in a 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace—prompted the club to prioritize youth, signing Lyon’s Rayan Cherki as his successor. Yet, De Bruyne’s pedigree, with six Premier League titles, a Champions League, and 119 assists in the competition, made him a coveted free agent. “I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing,” he insisted, fueling speculation about his next move.[](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/kevin-debruyne-manchester-city-talks-31925128)[](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/13352385/kevin-de-bruyne-departing-man-city-star-surprised-not-to-be-offered-new-deal-at-etihad)
Liverpool, fresh off their Premier League triumph under Arne Slot, saw an opportunity to add De Bruyne’s creative genius to their squad. The Reds, who smashed their transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz for £116 million, were in the market for a dynamic No. 10 to complement Mohamed Salah and bolster their title defense. Salah himself fueled the rumors, cheekily remarking in a Sky Sports interview, “I want to tell him congratulations for your career. He has done a phenomenal job for City, he was great for the league and I really wish him the best. And, yeah, we have a space for him!” De Bruyne’s childhood allegiance to Liverpool, inspired by his grandfather’s fandom and his admiration for Michael Owen, added an emotional layer to the talks. “I like to play football. I like to compete,” he said, signaling his openness to a Premier League move that could have seen him don the red of Anfield.
However, the discussions never progressed beyond initial contact. “There are conflicting accounts of who approached who,” noted a report, suggesting the talks were exploratory rather than concrete. Liverpool’s focus on younger talents like Wirtz and their reluctance to sign aging players with high wage demands and injury concerns—evidenced by De Bruyne’s recent struggles and a perceived lack of mobility—cooled their interest. “He kind of runs like he’s in mud at the moment,” remarked journalist David Lynch, reflecting a sentiment that De Bruyne, turning 34 in June, no longer fit Liverpool’s high-intensity system. The Reds’ transfer strategy, under sporting director Richard Hughes, prioritized long-term investments, making a move for the veteran midfielder a “non-starter” despite his undeniable quality.
De Bruyne’s options were plentiful. Napoli, led by Antonio Conte and featuring compatriot Romelu Lukaku, emerged as the frontrunners, offering a two-year deal with an option for a third to keep him in the Champions League. Juventus and Galatasaray made inquiries, while MLS side Chicago Fire and Saudi clubs Al Ahli and Al Nassr tabled offers, but De Bruyne’s desire to prove City wrong drove him to Naples. “It’s been an unbelievable ride and an absolute pleasure,” he said of his City tenure, expressing gratitude to fans while embracing his new chapter. His decision to reject Liverpool, despite their offer, was also influenced by a desire to preserve his legacy among City supporters, who would have been stung by a move to their fiercest rivals.
For Liverpool fans, the brief prospect of signing De Bruyne sparked both excitement and skepticism. “It’s terrible,” De Bruyne admitted after missing a sitter in his final Etihad home game, a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, encapsulating the bittersweet end to his City career. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s squad continues to evolve, with Milos Kerkez set to join from Bournemouth and Wirtz already integrated, ensuring their midfield remains dynamic. The De Bruyne saga, though short-lived, underscored Liverpool’s ambition to compete at the highest level, even if the Belgian maestro ultimately chose a different path to continue his storied career.
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