Europe’s elite clubs want De Bruyne’s magic, but his £400k wages and injury history are tough to justify on a free, writes DYLAN JOHNSON.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City chapter ends this summer after a decade of silverware and standout performances. Despite flashes of brilliance in the injury-hit 2024/25 campaign, questions loom over his long-term fitness—he’s missed 48 games since 2023/24, including 42 with a recurring hamstring issue.
Writing for Soccermag, Johnson argues that the 33-year-old’s future hinges on clubs taking a risk on his ageing body and massive wage demands.
As Johnson puts it, “he still believes he belongs at the very top,” but unless he takes a pay cut, a move to Europe’s elite remains complicated. Napoli, Villa, and Liverpool have been linked, yet none are obvious fits given the financial and physical risks.
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