San Diego hint at deal for Manchester City star move to MLS this summer | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne has held talks with MLS newcomers San Diego over a possible summer move to America.

The Manchester City midfielder is available on a free transfer at the end of the season and is already allowed to hold pre-contract talks.

The Belgium star, on international duty this weekend, has not ruled out extending his stay at the Etihad and has also investigated a mega-money switch to Saudia Arabia.

But San Diego FC, unbeaten in their maiden MLS season so far, have confirmed for the first time they have held tentative talks about how to make the move work financially for a player on a reported £400,000-a-week.

Tyler Heaps, San Diego’s Sporting Director, stated: “”He’s a fantastic footballer and he loves this area.“He goes on holidays here every single year, but I’m not sure where that rumour keeps coming from.“I’ve had conversations with him, but I’ll tell you what, those wages won’t fit our budget at the moment in terms of what his expectations are.”

“The agent has many players, obviously. Every time I see it, I say, ‘Are you the one that is saying all this stuff?’De Bruyne, who turns 24 this summer, is regarded as City’s greatest-ever midfielder. He was their club record signing in 2015 and despite finding his starts limited this season has scored over 100 goals, lifted the Champions League, won the Premier League six times and is a two-time PFA Player of the Year.

Aside from recruiting former Manchester United defender Paddy McNair, the progressive West Coast side’s star signing has been Mexico international forward Hirving Lozano. Signing De Bruyne, whether it be this summer or next, would further raise their profile and status as one of the major players in a league celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.