Revealed: 'Extortionate' transfer fee Man City would accept for Kevin De Bruyne & allow Belgian midfielder to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Pro League

Manchester City have been tipped to accept an "extorionate fee" from the Saudi Pro League for De Bruyne if an offer is made. The suggestion comes from the Manchester Evening News, with £50 million ($64m) perhaps a figure to aim for. Anything less, it might make more sense to just let the Belgian, recently 33, leave as a free agent when his contract expires next summer.

De Bruyne has entered the final year of his City contract with, so far, little sign of a new one being agreed. It has been alleged there is already a verbal agreement with Al Ittihad, currently home to Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante, albeit with no talks with City underway. But it was just days earlier that De Bruyne denied having spoken to any clubs about his future. He suggested only a "silly" amount of money that could financially support future generations of his family might be considered. City were caught out somewhat last summer when Riyad Mahrez unexpectedly decided he wanted to take a huge offer from Al Ahli.

By the time his contract expires next summer, De Bruyne will have completed a full decade at the Etihad Stadium after arriving from Wolfsburg in 2015. David Silva, from whom De Bruyne assumed the mantle as the club's chief creator, also did exactly 10 years from 2010 until 2020. Sergio Aguero was another to finish on a perfect 10, leaving in 2021 after arriving in 2011.

A break, even a short one, De Bruyne went straight from an injury-hit 2023-24 season for City into Euro 2024 with Belgium. Even if his immediate future is not in Manchester, the player deserves at least a bit of time to take stock. A decision over his international future may also come before September.