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February 23, 2024
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is being pursued by the top four clubs in the Saudi Pro League this summer, as reported by The Times. These clubs aim to leverage the wealth from the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to elevate the football profile in the Gulf region.
In addition to De Bruyne, Manchester United’s Casemiro and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah are also on the radar, with renewed interest in the latter. Recent changes to the league’s regulations now allow clubs to include ten foreign players in their squads, up from eight, prompting a closer look at some of the Premier League’s elite players.
Discussions regarding De Bruyne, 32, potentially moving to the emerging league have occurred. However, as anticipated, the Belgian has turned down any offers. Michael Emenalo, the Saudi Pro League sports director, is known to admire De Bruyne and attended one of Pep Guardiola’s regular training sessions during the Club World Cup held in Saudi Arabia last December.
After a lackluster stint with Chelsea, Manchester City took a chance on the young talent, paying £55 million for his services in 2015. With his Etihad Stadium contract—worth approximately £400,000 a week—set to expire at the end of next season, a move for the world-class midfielder could be possible. Despite his struggles in west London, De Bruyne has made a name for himself as possibly the Premier League’s best midfield player today.
Securing his signature would undoubtedly thrill fans and significantly enhance the credibility of the Saudi Pro League. However, according to a report from The Times, the chances that Guardiola and his team will consider any offers for a player of De Bruyne’s caliber are exceedingly low, even in light of his recent injury issues.
De Bruyne’s unmatched technical skills and creative play were sorely missed during his four-month absence at the beginning of the season. However, he has been in top form since undergoing surgery in late December, scoring six, scoring two goals, and contributing two assists in just eight games. Guardiola is unlikely to let go of that kind of performance anytime soon, even though De Bruyne is on the wrong side of 32.
All three players are set to be out of contract by 2026.
Given its bold nature, any interest in De Bruyne is likely futile, considering his significance to Guardiola and his team’s approach in the football-obsessed city of Manchester. Since joining in 2015, the midfielder has earned both wealth and acclaim. With his contract expiration approaching, it’s almost sure he will sign an extension soon to remain a central figure in Guardiola’s success.
| Player | De Bruyne | Casemiro | Salah |
| Weekly wage | £400,000 | £350,000 | £350,000 |
| Annual wage | £20,800,00 | £18,200,000 | £18,200,000 |
| Contract signed | April 7, 2021 | August 22, 2022 | July 1, 2022 |
| Contract expiration | June 30, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | June 30, 2025 |
One of the greatest African footballers in history, Salah, now 31—like De Bruyne—has a contract that concludes after the 2024–2025 season. His £350,000-per-week deal at Anfield makes him the club’s highest earner. However, with Jurgen Klopp set to leave at the end of the current campaign, this summer could mark the end of the Egyptian’s time in England. Al-Hilal has previously shown interest in Salah, and they, along with other domestic rivals, may compete for his signature as soon as the transfer window for summer opens.
As for Casemiro, the Brazilian has an additional year left on his current contract, but his significance to Manchester United pales compared to that of De Bruyne and Salah for City and Liverpool, respectively. The former Real Madrid midfielder earns a substantial £350,000 at Old Trafford. Still, with the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era just beginning, he could be pushed out as the club shifts its focus to younger talent. At 32, with his best years behind him, the Saudi Pro League may well be his next destination.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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