'A lot of fun for Lionel Messi' - Inter Miami's captain would love Kevin De Bruyne in MLS as 'gutted' Man City legend left baffled by decision to let Belgian leave

Iconic Belgian playmaker De Bruyne has announced that he will be leaving the Etihad Stadium as a free agent this summer when his contract expires. He has spent 10 memorable years on the blue half of Manchester.

De Bruyne is a Premier League and Champions League title winner with two PFA Player of the Year awards to his name. He sits second on the Premier League all-time list when it comes to assists and has taken in over 400 appearances for City.

Speculation is now raging regarding De Bruyne’s next move, with the 33-year-old being linked with teams in America, Italy and Saudi Arabia. It has been suggested that he could join eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi at Inter Miami.

Ex-City winger Wright-Phillips - speaking to GOAL via Lottoland, Football Betting - said when asked if De Bruyne in Florida would be a lot of fun: “It would be a lot of fun for Messi, it wouldn’t be for the other teams!

“I’m gutted about it. I’m a massive fan of his. At the same time, I understand football as well. Some things happen that no-one can explain. This for me is one of them. It looks like they are both ready to turn the page.

“Hopefully they both do a U-turn because I would like to see him not only at City, but in the Premier League. Fingers crossed but whatever he does and wherever he goes, someone is going to get one hell of a player for the next three years.”

Newly-crowned champions Liverpool have been linked with De Bruyne, who has previously admitted to being a boyhood Reds fan, and Wright-Phillips added when asked if a shock deal could be done there: “I don’t know, why wouldn’t he? He’s on a free. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to go. Everybody knows the situation and if I were an Arsenal or a Liverpool, I would take him for a year or two. It’s almost a no-brainer.”

De Bruyne continues to mull over his options for now, as he plays out a 2024-25 campaign that could yet end with FA Cup glory for City. He will walk away with a standing among the greats in Manchester safely secured - with a future statue at the Etihad almost guaranteed.