Marseille president highlights ‘complete lack of respect’ in Kevin De Bruyne transfer talk | OneFootball

Marseille president Pablo Longoria has discussed the club’s chances of signing Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer when his Manchester City contract expires in June.

De Bruyne was given an emotional farewell in his final home appearance as a Manchester City player on Tuesday as goals from Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Nico Gonzalez took Pep Guardiola’s side secured a 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth.

City need a draw in their final Premier League game of the campaign against Fulham at the weekend to ensure UEFA Champions League football next season after what has been a tricky season for the 2023 treble winners, who have decided to let De Bruyne leave.

The 33-year-old has expressed disappointment at the club’s decision to not offer him a new contract, which has put his future up in the air as clubs line up and make their cases to attract the six-time Premier League to their respective projects.

Napoli are understood to be currently leading the race for De Bruyne, who has given his green light for family members to finalise terms and agree a move to the Serie A after encouraging feedback about Italy from Belgium international teammates Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku.

Several clubs in the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer have held a long-standing interest in De Bruyne but the playmaker is hesitant to uproot his family – who have lived in the UK for the last 10 years – and would prefer to stay in Europe as he assesses offers and makes a decision on his next club.

Speaking in a recent interview, Marseille president Pablo Longoria was asked about the French side’s interest in De Bruyne, who is unlikely to represent Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States between June and July.

“Honestly, I don’t know if there are any discussions with Kevin De Bruyne,” he said, as quoted by L’Equipe and relayed by Sport Witness.

“And I’m not going to single out any specific case. If we bring in a player with a salary much higher than the players we have in the squad today, players who qualified us for the Champions League, it would destroy all the balance we’ve built and all the good things – all the good momentum we’ve had this season.

“From the club’s point of view, it would be a complete lack of respect for the players who made this Champions League qualification possible and who created this positive dynamic.”