Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne 'prefers MLS move over Saudi Arabia'

The 32-year-old is the Citizens' longest-serving player within Pep Guardiola's current squad and has established legendary status during a memorable eight-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football, has notched up an impressive 98 goals and 161 assists in 367 appearances for Man City across all competitions and has won a total of 14 trophies, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.

The Belgium international, who has recently recovered from a long-term hamstring injury, was a key cog in the Citizens machine that won a historic treble last season and he remains an integral member of Guardiola's squad that is chasing down another three trophies this term.

However, De Bruyne is believed to be facing an uncertain future at the Etihad, with his current contract due to expire in the summer of 2025.

Recent reports have tipped De Bruyne to potentially become the latest star name to swap European football for the Saudi Pro League.

The Athletic claims that De Bruyne was offered a salary package of around £59.7m to make the switch to the Middle East last year, but the playmaker opted to turn that down in favour of remaining at Man City.

Despite that, the report adds that Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo - who helped Chelsea sign De Bruyne from Genk in 2012 - 'has kept the lines of communication open' and hopes that his personal link with the playmaker can persuade him to move to the Gulf state.

However, it is thought that De Bruyne and his family are not particularly keen on settling down in Saudi Arabia, and while a mouthwatering contract offer could change his stance, the prospect of penning a new short-term deal at Man City is currently considered as a more appealing option.

One alternative for De Bruyne would be a move to MLS as the playmaker is said to have always considered the possibility of ending his career in America - a location that might suit him and his family more so than a switch to Saudi Arabia.

De Bruyne will turn 34 when his contract expires in just over 16 months' time, and he is said to have planned to sign another deal before retiring at Man City around the age of 35, although talks are yet to have taken place.

In recent years, Man City have been reluctant to offer players approaching their mid-thirties a long-term contract extension, including former captain Ilkay Gundogan, 32, who left the club last summer to join Barcelona.

Man City are under no pressure to sell any of their star players, including De Bruyne, especially from a financial perspective considering they have raised significant funds from the sales several promising academy products in recent transfer windows.

However, it is thought that the Citizens would be tempted to cash in on De Bruyne if they received a big fee that matches or exceeds their current valuation of the playmaker, believed to be in the region of £90m.

Guardiola was recently asked about De Bruyne's future at Man City, telling ESPN: "It's a question for him, I'd love him to stay but I don't know.

"I heard some links but I don't know if there's an offer, I don't know if Saudi Arabia wants him. I would love him to stay until the end of his career, but everyone is everyone."

De Bruyne is in contention to play for Man City when they travel to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday night.