Man City legend leaves the door open as Mohamed Salah jokes about a Liverpool switch
The curtain is slowly beginning to fall on an extraordinary chapter in Manchester City’s history. Kevin De Bruyne — the club’s iconic playmaker and one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders — has confirmed that he will leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the 2024-25 season, bringing a decade-long spell of brilliance to an emotional close.
But with that announcement comes a growing buzz around what comes next. Will the Belgian maestro remain in England? Could he head overseas for a final challenge? Or, in a tantalising twist, could he even join one of City’s direct rivals?
Salah’s cheeky invitation raises eyebrows — and hopes
Liverpool fans were sent into a mini frenzy this week when Mohamed Salah cheekily offered De Bruyne a potential route to Anfield. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Egyptian forward took a moment to pay tribute to his long-time opponent while playfully floating the idea of becoming teammates.
“I want to tell him congratulations for your career,” Salah said. “He’s done a phenomenal job at City, and he was great for the league. I really wish him the best… and we have a space for him!”
It was a comment that came with a smile, but behind the humour was a serious undercurrent. De Bruyne will become a free agent in 2025, and the thought of one of the league’s most gifted midfielders being available without a transfer fee is enough to set the rumour mill into overdrive.
De Bruyne: “It has to suit my family”
De Bruyne himself was a picture of calm when asked about his next move following City’s surprise 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. With the Wembley defeat still fresh, the 33-year-old addressed questions about his future with measured honesty.
“I want to play good football, whatever the decision will be,” he told Sky Sports. “I know you’re trying to guess where I’m going to go, but I will make my decision, and you guys will know when I know.”
There was a noticeable shift in tone when he spoke about the factors influencing his decision. De Bruyne made it clear this won’t be a solo choice.
“I have a family. I have young kids I have to take care of. It’s a decision that has to suit all of us, not just me. When I’m 20 years old and all by myself, I can make a decision, that is very easy. But now it’s a bit more complex.”
When asked directly if staying in the Premier League was still an option, his one-word answer — “Maybe” — was short but loaded with possibility.
European giants and MLS circling
According to earlier reports from Sky Sports, Serie A side Napoli are one of the clubs keenly interested in securing De Bruyne’s signature. The Italian outfit, who are seeking a creative leader to reignite their domestic and European ambitions, have already held informal talks with the player’s representatives.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Major League Soccer franchises are said to be closely monitoring the situation. With Lionel Messi already lighting up the league and players like Olivier Giroud and Luis Suárez also making the jump, De Bruyne’s arrival would be another marquee moment for American football.
It’s no secret that the slower tempo and less physically demanding nature of MLS appeals to aging European stars looking to extend their careers without compromising on quality of life. For De Bruyne — a man who mentioned his family several times in recent interviews — the prospect of settling in a lifestyle-friendly city like Los Angeles or Miami could well be part of the attraction.
Guardiola and City now eye strong league finish
For now, though, De Bruyne’s focus remains firmly on the here and now. Despite their FA Cup final loss, Pep Guardiola’s side are still in a race to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League, which would guarantee Champions League qualification for next season.
Their run-in includes must-win clashes against Bournemouth on May 20 and Fulham on May 25 — two games that could shape the final narrative of a campaign that has, at times, fallen short of the club’s usual sky-high standards.
De Bruyne will undoubtedly want to sign off his City career with at least one more Champions League campaign to his name, and his performances in recent weeks have shown that, at 33, he still has plenty left in the tank.
A decade of brilliance — and a legacy sealed
Wherever De Bruyne goes next, his legacy at Manchester City is untouchable. Since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015, he has become one of the defining players of the Premier League era — a conductor of Pep Guardiola’s orchestra, the architect behind countless goals, and a relentless competitor who elevated those around him.
With over 100 assists in the Premier League alone, four league titles, multiple domestic cups, and a Champions League triumph, De Bruyne’s résumé speaks for itself. But beyond the numbers, he’s been the heartbeat of a City side that reshaped English football.
Now, as he stands at a crossroads, there’s a feeling that the final act of his glittering career could take him somewhere unexpected — perhaps even into the red half of Merseyside, if Salah gets his way.
The decision looms
De Bruyne has promised that when he knows his next move, the public will too. Until then, fans, clubs, and journalists alike will continue to speculate. Will it be another Premier League adventure? A romantic return to Belgium? A new challenge in Italy or America?
One thing is certain — Kevin De Bruyne still has magic in his boots, and wherever he ends up next, it will be one of the biggest stories of the 2025 footballing summer.
