In a week that sent shockwaves through English football, Manchester City’s legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne officially confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the 2024/2025 season. After more than a decade of service filled with trophies, world-class performances, and unforgettable moments, the Belgian maestro is preparing to write the next chapter of his career. But if his departure wasn’t dramatic enough, De Bruyne made a stunning admission after City’s 5-2 comeback win against Crystal Palace: he may continue playing in the Premier League—even if it’s not for Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne’s time at Manchester City will go down as one of the greatest spells any midfielder has ever had in English football. Arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015, he quickly silenced the doubters who questioned his previous stint at Chelsea. Under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne flourished into a complete player—capable of controlling a game with precision passing, delivering inch-perfect crosses, scoring long-range screamers, and being the creative heartbeat of arguably the most dominant English club side in history.
In his 10 years at the Etihad, De Bruyne won every domestic trophy multiple times: five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, and the one they had long chased—Manchester City’s first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. He was instrumental in City’s historic treble-winning campaign and has often been described as the engine of the Guardiola era.
The football world had long speculated when the curtain would fall on De Bruyne’s time at City. With injuries becoming more frequent and age inevitably creeping in—he’s now 33—the question wasn’t if he would leave, but when. That question was finally answered on April 4, when De Bruyne posted an emotional farewell message on social media, confirming that the 2024/25 season would be his last with Manchester City. City fans, players, and pundits alike paid tribute to the midfielder’s incredible contribution to the club. But just when everyone assumed he was heading for a quieter chapter abroad, De Bruyne revealed a bombshell: he’s not ruling out staying in the Premier League.
After City’s thrilling 5-2 win over Crystal Palace—a game where De Bruyne rolled back the years with a goal and an assist—the midfielder gave an interview to Viaplay that caught everyone off guard. “Whatever project is available, I’m willing to listen,” De Bruyne said. “I love football. I love to play football, and if a nice project comes, and my family is good with that, then we are able to make a decision.”
This revelation has sparked wild speculation. Could one of City’s rivals swoop in for one of the Premier League’s most decorated and intelligent playmakers? Would he consider Arsenal? Chelsea again? Manchester United? Or perhaps a less obvious club looking to add veteran leadership to their squad?
De Bruyne wasn’t ready to name any names yet. “I don’t know. It could be not [in England],” he added. “It’s very hard because the decision of leaving has not been long, so nothing can be decided in a week. In the football world, I don’t think everything comes in a week. It goes very slowly. I’ve not even seen my family since the announcement.”
If De Bruyne’s decision to leave was emotional, his performance on the pitch was nothing short of poetic. Manchester City were 2-0 down at Selhurst Park and under pressure to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Then came De Bruyne’s moment of magic: a stunning free-kick that curled beautifully into the top corner, giving City a lifeline. He followed it up by assisting Mateo Kovacic to complete the turnaround. City eventually won 5-2, with De Bruyne once again proving why he’s been their most important player over the last decade.
Speaking about the match, De Bruyne said: “I think we started well, had a couple of chances and out of nowhere we’re 2-0 behind, and it could have been three. The response was good. I thought overall we played pretty much a good game but we gave chances away and they pounced on it. The reaction was really good and in the end I think we deserved to win.” He added: “It was important to score as quickly as possible and change the feeling of the game a bit. I didn’t think we were playing that bad, but the scoreline wasn’t good at all. We went from there.”
While the Premier League remains a possible option, De Bruyne is also attracting serious interest from outside Europe. The Saudi Pro League, which previously made an attempt to sign him, remains keen to bring him in. With players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante already there, De Bruyne would be another major star in a league trying to grow its global profile. Another major contender is Inter Miami—David Beckham’s ambitious MLS side. Inter Miami already boasts Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, and are reportedly exploring ways to bring in De Bruyne.
However, there’s a complication: MLS rules only allow three “designated players” who can earn above the salary cap, and Miami already has their three slots filled. To sign De Bruyne, they would need to make changes—possibly parting ways with a current star or finding a creative financial solution in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Regardless of where he ends up next, De Bruyne’s legacy at Manchester City is secure. He’s not just a club legend—he’s a Premier League great. Only a few midfielders in the history of the league can be spoken of in the same breath: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, and Cesc Fabregas. De Bruyne is arguably the most complete of them all.
He’s City’s all-time assist leader and has delivered countless match-winning performances. His intelligence, technique, and vision have made him nearly impossible to replace. Even Pep Guardiola, never one to focus too much on individuals, has repeatedly sung De Bruyne’s praises. “He’s been one of the best players I’ve ever managed,” Guardiola said last year. “He sees passes no one else sees. He controls the rhythm of the game.
With his exit now confirmed, the focus turns to the future—both for De Bruyne and for Manchester City. For De Bruyne, the next few weeks will be filled with talks, travel, and family discussions. His future could lie in England, the United States, Saudi Arabia, or even elsewhere. What’s clear is that he still believes he has something to offer at the highest level. And after his Palace performance, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
As for City, they are entering a transitional phase. Alongside De Bruyne’s departure, there are rumors about other senior players leaving—such as Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, and even Ederson. A new generation is emerging, with young stars like Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, and Josko Gvardiol taking on greater responsibility. City are already planning ahead, with links to midfielders like Florian Wirtz and Joshua Kimmich. But replacing De Bruyne will be the biggest challenge. His mix of creativity, leadership, and consistency is rare.
Kevin De Bruyne’s story with Manchester City may be ending, but his footballing journey is far from over. In true De Bruyne fashion, he has chosen to keep all options open, refusing to be boxed into retirement plans or distant leagues. If the right project comes—whether in England, America, or the Middle East—he’s ready to embrace it.
And for football fans, the hope is simple: that we continue to see De Bruyne doing what he does best—creating magic on the pitch, no matter where he plays. As the curtain begins to fall on his Manchester City legacy, there’s no doubt that Kevin De Bruyne’s final act is still being written.
