Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr step up push to sign Manchester City superstar in 2025: Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are reportedly preparing a mammoth offer for Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. According to TeamTalk, the Belgium international could leave the Etihad in the summer of 2025 once his contract expires (via The Hard Tackle).
The same report suggests that the Cityzens have decided against renewing De Bruyne's deal because of the veteran's injury record of late. This season, the 33-year-old has already missed six matches across competitions due to a hamstring issue.
Last year, he was absent for 41 matches for club and country put together across competitions due to fitness-related worries. Therefore, the rationale behind not offering De Bruyne an extension may seem a fair decision.
However, when on the pitch, there aren't many players better than the Belgian in an attacking midfield role. Despite missing a good chunk of the previous campaign, the midfielder notched up six goals and 18 assists in 26 matches in all competitions.
With De Bruyne now entering the final years of his professional career, a move to Saudi Arabia may seem ideal. However, Al-Nassr will seemingly have to work hard, with American outfit San Diego FC also said to be interested in a move for the Cityzens attacker.
De Bruyne came to Manchester City in the summer of 2015 from Wolfsburg for a reported fee of €76 million. He has since made 388 appearances across competitions for the Manchester club, bagging 103 goals and 171 assists.
De Bruyne has also managed to win the Premier League trophy six times to go with his solitary UEFA Champions League and other honors at the Etihad.
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne's say on Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne has been linked with a move to join Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. The Portuguese may be pleased to learn that the Belgian prefers him over arch-rival Lionel Messi.
De Bruyne decided to side with the 39-year-old because of the latter's position on the football pitch. While speaking to SPORTbible about this, he said (via AllFootball):
"I would probably say Ronaldo because he's more of a typical striker, Messi is more of a playmaker. I am a playmaker, you can give me a striker."
Ronaldo is known to be a prolific goalscorer, a player who has netted 767 goals in his senior club career. He also has 212 caps for Portugal across competitions, from which he's scored 132 goals and bagged 45 assists.