According to pages four and five of Monday’s Sport print edition via Sport Witness, Man City could face a huge battle to keep star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne as four top European clubs ‘yearn‘ to sign the Belgian.
De Bruyne, who has debatably been our player of the season, notching a brilliant 16 assists in 25 starts for the club in the Premier League, is currently being eyed by the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid after his recent comments to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
Should KDB be awarded Man City's Player of the Season?
Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, no contest
Nope, others are more deserving
Speaking to the media outlet, De Bruyne hinted that he may consider his options at Eastlands if the Sky Blues’ two-year European ban is upheld – prompting much speculation over a potential move away since then.
The 28-year-old, who also had an influential campaign during City’s famed 2017/2018 Centurions season, bagging another 16 assists according to WhoScored, is arguably crucial to manager Pep Guardiola’s plans going forward – made evident by his performance at the Bernabeu during our 2-1 victory away to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16.
However, according to this Sport report, City may have to fend off huge European clubs who are reportedly very keen on securing the Belgium international’s signature.
Bayern, Barca, Juve and Real are all said to be ‘very attentive‘ in their monitoring of De Bruyne – but City are apparently not ‘worried‘ despite the reported interest.
Once described as ‘exceptional‘ by Guardiola, there is little denying that the Spaniard could be unwilling to let one of our best players leave this summer.
City supporters will also potentially be hoping that De Bruyne wants to remain at the Etihad even despite the recent noise.