In what would undoubtedly be one of the most sensational transfers in Premier League history, rumors have been swirling this week about Liverpool’s potential acquisition of Manchester City’s iconic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer this summer. The Belgian maestro, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in June, had previously announced his intention to depart after a glittering nine-year spell with the Citizens. However, according to trusted transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, claims of Liverpool making a formal approach for the 33-year-old midfield genius are wide of the mark.
“At the moment, from what I’m hearing, Liverpool are not in negotiations for Kevin De Bruyne. Liverpool have not approached Kevin De Bruyne. Liverpool are not talking to Kevin De Bruyne,” Romano stated definitively on his YouTube channel, contradicting reports from Italy that suggested the Merseyside club had already tabled a contract offer to the Belgian international.
De Bruyne’s City Legacy Comes to an End
Kevin De Bruyne’s announcement earlier this season that he would not be extending his stay at Manchester City sent shockwaves through the football world. The midfielder later revealed that, surprisingly, he had not been offered a new deal by the club where he has become a modern legend. Since joining from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club record fee of £55 million, De Bruyne has established himself as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
During his illustrious City career, De Bruyne has amassed an impressive collection of silverware, including seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and the crowning achievement of the UEFA Champions League in 2023. His creative brilliance has been the driving force behind Pep Guardiola’s dominant side, contributing over 100 goals and more than 160 assists across all competitions for the club.
City’s decision not to offer a new contract to a player of De Bruyne’s caliber has raised eyebrows throughout the football community. However, with the midfielder turning 34 next month and having endured several injury-plagued seasons in recent years, the club’s hierarchy appears to have made the difficult decision to allow their talisman to depart as they look to regenerate an aging squad.
The Liverpool Link: Fantasy or Feasibility?
While Romano’s information suggests there is currently no substance to the Liverpool rumors, the potential move does raise intriguing possibilities. Under new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp this summer, Liverpool will be looking to build on their impressive Premier League title win and strengthen for the challenges ahead.
Liverpool’s midfield underwent significant reconstruction last summer with the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch. While these additions have largely proven successful, the opportunity to add a player of De Bruyne’s experience and quality—even in the twilight of his career—could prove irresistible for a club with Liverpool’s ambitions.
Our sources at Liverpool World understand that if such a move were to materialize, De Bruyne would need to accept a substantial reduction in his current wages, believed to be in the region of £400,000 per week. Liverpool’s wage structure is notoriously disciplined, with even their highest earners such as Mohamed Salah reportedly earning significantly less than De Bruyne’s City salary.
Financial Considerations and Age Concerns
The financial aspects of any potential deal would be complex. At 33 (soon to be 34), De Bruyne represents a departure from Liverpool’s typical transfer strategy, which has generally focused on acquiring younger players with potential resale value. However, the absence of a transfer fee could mitigate some of the risk associated with signing a player in his mid-thirties.
Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have consistently emphasized financial sustainability and responsible spending. A free transfer for De Bruyne, even with substantial wages, could represent good value if the Belgian can remain fit and contribute at a high level for two or three seasons.
The injury concerns cannot be dismissed, however. De Bruyne has struggled with fitness issues in recent campaigns, missing significant portions of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with hamstring problems. Any contract offer would likely need to include appearance-based incentives to protect the club’s investment.
Tactical Fit Under Arne Slot
From a tactical perspective, De Bruyne’s addition to Liverpool’s squad could provide Slot with a creative weapon few other clubs can boast. The Belgian’s vision, passing range, and set-piece expertise would add a new dimension to Liverpool’s attack, potentially unlocking defenses that have proven stubborn against their current approach.
Slot’s tactical philosophy at Feyenoord demonstrated his appreciation for technical midfielders who can control the tempo of games and create chances for forwards. De Bruyne, even as he adapts his game to accommodate his advancing years, remains elite in these aspects.
A potential midfield featuring De Bruyne alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai would possess an impressive blend of creativity, technical quality, and dynamism. The Belgian could serve as the experienced head in a relatively youthful midfield unit, providing mentorship to the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones while still contributing significantly on the pitch.
De Bruyne’s Admiration for Anfield
Interestingly, De Bruyne has previously expressed his admiration for the Anfield atmosphere, potentially hinting at an openness to joining Liverpool despite the fierce rivalry between his current and potential future employers.
“I like Anfield, I like it a lot. I love people being on you, being noisy, that is what it’s all about,” De Bruyne said in 2019. “I love the passion of football. Lately, a lot of new things have been introduced in football, but I still love things how they were in the old days—people shout and get their team forward.”
He continued, “When Liverpool get that atmosphere, it gives them a nudge and for the other team, it gives a feeling of nervousness. As a team, you need to stay calm. That’s probably the most difficult and the most important thing. If you get nervous and anxious, they smell it. It’s kill or be killed at that time.”
These comments reveal De Bruyne’s appreciation for the traditional aspects of football that Anfield embodies—a passionate crowd that can influence the outcome of matches through their support. Having faced Liverpool as an opponent numerous times, the Belgian has experienced firsthand the power of the Kop end in full voice.
Alternative Destinations
While the Liverpool links have captured headlines, De Bruyne has been connected with several other potential destinations as his City career draws to a close. Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire has reportedly shown significant interest, with the American league increasingly becoming an attractive option for European stars in the latter stages of their careers.
Saudi Arabian clubs, flush with seemingly limitless resources, are another realistic possibility. The Saudi Pro League has successfully recruited several high-profile European stars in recent years, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kanté, offering financial packages that European clubs simply cannot match.
The Italian reports that linked De Bruyne with Liverpool also mentioned Napoli as a potential suitor. A move to Serie A would offer De Bruyne a new challenge in one of Europe’s traditional powerhouse leagues, potentially under the management of Antonio Conte, who was recently appointed as Napoli’s new head coach.
Historical Context: City to Liverpool Transfers
The historical rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool adds another layer of intrigue to these rumors. Direct transfers between the clubs have been rare in recent decades, particularly involving players of De Bruyne’s stature.
The most recent high-profile player to make the switch from Manchester to Merseyside was James Milner, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2015 after his contract with City expired. Milner went on to become a key figure in Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup during his nine-year stint at Anfield.
Other players to have represented both clubs include Raheem Sterling (who moved in the opposite direction), Daniel Sturridge (who came through City’s academy before joining Chelsea and then Liverpool), and further back in history, Steve McManaman, who played for both clubs during the 1990s.
Fan Reaction
Initial reaction from Liverpool supporters to the De Bruyne rumors has been largely positive, despite his association with a direct rival. Social media has been abuzz with excitement at the prospect of adding a player widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders to their ranks.
For Manchester City fans, the potential sight of their beloved midfielder donning the famous red jersey would undoubtedly be painful. De Bruyne has been the creative heartbeat of their team during their most successful period, and his departure to any club would be difficult to stomach—let alone to a direct rival.
Some City supporters have expressed skepticism about the rumors, pointing to De Bruyne’s loyalty and suggesting he would be more likely to move abroad than join another Premier League club. Others have acknowledged that football is ultimately a business, and players must make decisions based on their career opportunities.
Arne Slot’s Transfer Strategy
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot is yet to make his first signing for the club, having only officially taken the reins from Jürgen Klopp at the end of the 2023-24 season. The Dutchman’s transfer strategy remains somewhat unknown to Liverpool supporters, though his work at Feyenoord suggested an eye for technically gifted players who fit within a clear tactical framework.
Slot inherits a squad that captured the Premier League title in Klopp’s final season, but one that will need reinforcement to compete consistently at the highest level across multiple competitions. With the departures of Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip already confirmed, and uncertainty surrounding the futures of several other players including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, this summer promises to be one of significant change at Anfield.
The addition of De Bruyne, if it were to happen, would represent a statement of intent from both Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy—a signal that they intend to build on Klopp’s success rather than enter a period of transition or rebuilding.
Liverpool’s Midfield Depth
Liverpool’s current midfield options include Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo, and the versatile Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has increasingly been deployed in central areas. This group represents a good blend of youth and experience, creativity and industry.
The addition of De Bruyne would provide an elite-level creator who could rotate with or complement these existing options. His experience at the highest level of football would be invaluable, particularly in the Champions League, where Liverpool will be looking to improve on their quarter-final exit last season.
A potential concern would be how De Bruyne’s arrival might impact the development of younger midfielders like Elliott and Bajcetic, who have shown tremendous promise. However, the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era could accelerate their development rather than hinder it.
Wage Structure Implications
As mentioned earlier, De Bruyne’s current wages at Manchester City would present a significant obstacle to any potential Liverpool move. The Merseyside club operates with a strict wage structure that emphasizes performance-based incentives rather than guaranteed high salaries.
Mohamed Salah is currently believed to be Liverpool’s highest earner at approximately £350,000 per week, with most of the squad earning significantly less. Introducing De Bruyne on a salary matching or exceeding Salah’s could potentially cause disruption within the dressing room and prompt other key players to seek improved terms.
However, as a free transfer, there is flexibility in how a deal could be structured. A lower base salary with substantial performance-related bonuses could provide De Bruyne with the opportunity to earn comparable amounts to his City wages while protecting Liverpool’s financial interests if injury problems persist.
Champions League Factor
Liverpool’s return to the Champions League for the 2025-26 season could be a significant factor in attracting a player of De Bruyne’s caliber. Having tasted European glory with Manchester City in 2023, the Belgian may be motivated by the opportunity to compete for another Champions League title before the end of his career.
The prospect of experiencing Champions League nights at Anfield as a home player rather than an opponent might also appeal to De Bruyne, given his previously stated admiration for the atmosphere at Liverpool’s historic stadium.
Commercial Value
Beyond his obvious on-field qualities, De Bruyne would bring significant commercial value to Liverpool. As one of the Premier League’s most recognizable stars with a substantial global following, his signing would likely generate additional revenue through merchandise sales, sponsorship opportunities, and increased global interest in the club.
This commercial aspect could potentially offset some of the financial investment required to secure his services, making the deal more attractive from a business perspective for Liverpool’s owners.
Conclusion: Rumor or Reality?
Despite the enticing possibilities a De Bruyne move to Liverpool presents, Romano’s information suggests that, at present, there is no substance to the rumors. While circumstances could change in the coming weeks as De Bruyne formally concludes his Manchester City career and assesses his options, Liverpool fans should temper their excitement.
The Belgian’s next move will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched transfer stories of the summer. Whether he chooses to remain in European football or embark on a new adventure in MLS or Saudi Arabia, his decision will have significant implications for the landscape of elite football.
For Liverpool, the focus may ultimately turn to more realistic targets as Slot begins to shape the squad according to his vision. However, in the unpredictable world of football transfers, even the most unlikely moves can sometimes materialize when the circumstances align.
Until De Bruyne’s future is officially resolved, the speculation will continue—and Liverpool supporters can dream of seeing one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders switching the sky blue of Manchester for the famous red of Liverpool.
