New York City FC, Chicago Fire and Inter Miami: Best landing spots for Man City star Kevin De Bruyne if he makes move to MLS

When the Chicago Fire approached Neymar's camp this past January, before the Brazilian joined his childhood club Santos in Brazil, they laid out an ambitious plan to bring in the former Barcelona star.

They could absolutely do that for De Bruyne. The Fire currently have two DP slots and two U22 slots filled, and opted to choose the U22 initiative player model to begin the season. If compliant midseason, they could change to the Three Designated Player model and would be able to use a third DP slot on a player of De Bruyne's caliber - while still having an additional U22 slot.

Former Belgium youth international Hugo Cuypers currently leads the line for Chicago, and the Man City man would only bring out more from him in Gregg Berhalter's system. The Fire's current No. 10, Brian Gutierrez, has two caps with the U.S. men's national team, and is being touted for a potential move to Europe this summer.

If the 21-year-old were to depart, it would open up a spot for De Bruyne, while instantly upgrading the Fire's roster as they continue to build their project under Berhalter. The Fire could make De Bruyne the face of the club, while having a manager with vast experience and multiple pieces around him.

Right now, the Galaxy have all three Designated Player slots occupied by a star trio from their 2024 MLS Cup run - Riqui Puig, Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec. However, one of those slots could open - which would be key to a potential arrival for De Bruyne at MLS' most storied franchise.

Pec has garnered transfer interest from across the globe after his stupendous 2024 breakout campaign, and the Galaxy may not be able to hold onto his talent throughout the summer transfer window. The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have reportedly been monitoring the Brazilian, and if he were to depart, a roster spot - and salary space - could open for De Bruyne.

Of course, Marco Reus is also an attacking midfielder. But the former German international, who signed on a TAM contract in 2024 on a deal through 2026, has not had a solid start to life in MLS. He's started just two matches for the Galaxy this season, too - and if De Bruyne would be an upgrade over the ex-Borussia Dortmund man.

The reigning champions could desperately use a creator such as De Bruyne, too, as Puig is recovering from a torn ACL - and they're missing a key creator in the final-third. By joining LA, De Bruyne would follow European greats such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Sister club of Manchester City, NYCFC seems like the most likely destination - and perhaps the best fit, too. The Eastern Conference side have a DP spot they could give to the Belgian, and have salary space to potentially offer him a deal. The club is also in the middle of a rebuild project under the leadership of Pascal Jansen, a manager that City officials brought in from Europe.

The club only have one rostered DP at the moment, Thiago Martins, with U22 initiative duo Agustin Ojeda and Julian Fernandez leading their roster in terms of talent. De Bruyne would be the perfect No. 10 to fill into their XI.

Striker Alonso Martinez, who had a career-year in 2024, is off to a brilliant start to 2024 - but it's become increasingly clear that his previous attack partner, Santiago Rodriguez, is missing. The Argentine DP was recently transferred to Brazilian side Botafogo for $17M, and his departure has left a hole in their midfield and attack - a spot where De Bruyne would seamlessly fit.

NYCFC are also opening up a soccer-specific stadium in New York, and De Bruyne would be the perfect face to lead them out of the tunnel into their new ground. That, and he already looks good in blue - why change it?

Inter Miami cannot presently bring De Bruyne in on a transfer. Their roster won't allow it, due to Designated Player contracts with Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

It's not the most realistic of options, but it's perhaps the biggest blockbuster move he could make in MLS. And if it were to happen, the odds of him adding more silverware to his trophy cabinet would grow.

The Herons would need to buy-down the contract of Alba, who makes a base salary of $1.25M, to open up a DP slot, which could then be allocated to De Bruyne. To do so, they would need to use General Allocation Money, and the budget charge itself could not be less than $150,000.

Messi and Busquets are MLS' top-earners in terms of base salaries, with the Argentine earning $12M and the Spaniard at $8.5M. If De Bruyne were to join them, he would likely command a similar salary.

The biggest questions around a potential move to Miami aren't if they could find a roster spot - Alba's salary is low enough as a DP that a buy-down is technically feasible - but rather, if they can afford to add another hefty salary to their books.

If they opt to do so, it would be the biggest splash since the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner signed in MLS.

LAFC have been heavily linked with a move for former France superstar Antoine Griezmann, with the Atletico Madrid man being open to a move to MLS. However, the deal is all about timing. If Griezmann - whose contract ends in 2026 with Atletico Madrid - doesn't want to make the jump this summer, LAFC may not wait.

As a result, a move for a player such as De Bruyne could be considered as a replacement option.

Although Griezmann is more of an out-and-out forward, De Bruyne brings a similar level of creativity, and the Belgian could be looked at as the missing centerpiece to an attack with Denis Bouanga, Olivier Giroud and Nathan Ordaz.

The only issue is that LAFC have all three Designated Player slots filled - though Turkish winger Cengiz Under is only on loan for six months through the summer. That could offer an easy solution if they choose not to extend his stay in Los Angeles.

Although Steve Cherundolo doesn't play with a traditional No. 10, De Bruyne could be looked at as an opportunity the club can't pass on, as they search for their first MLS Cup since 2022 - when Gareth Bale was a part of their championship-winning roster.

If the Black and Gold were to pursue De Bruyne, it would be a deal that makes sense for both parties - it just remains to be seen if LAFC are willing to give up their reported pursuit of Griezmann.

In terms of logistics, timing and legitimate roster availability, NYCFC and the Chicago Fire, on paper, seem the two teams with the most concrete chances of landing De Bruyne, should he opt to move to MLS.

The Pigeons' connections with the Premier League side could prove crucial in negotiations, while the Fire's recent ambition in pursuing Neymar could send a signal, as well. The club have shown they are prepared to do what it takes to try and lure a world-renowned superstar.

At the same time, the U.S. isn't a certain destination - though reports have indicated that MLS is his preferred landing spot. If he if he does make the move to MLS, it would be another landmark moment for the league, and a pivotal one for the growth of the game domestically.