The era of Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City is over. After 10 years, the club decided not to extend the Belgian’s contract and he will be one of the most coveted free agents in soccer. “I’ll get straight to the point and tell you that these will be my last months as a Manchester City player,” the Belgian wrote on social media.
“Football took me to all of you, and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing that this stage would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me everything. I had no choice but to give it all back! And guess what: we won it all. Like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” was part of what was read in his statement. Pep Guardiola himself confessed in a press conference that it was 100% the club’s decision not to offer De Bruyne a renewal, as sources reveal that it was believed that his time with the Sky Blues had come to an end.
San Diego FC had been in talks with Kevin De Bruyne since last year to bring him to the Southern California club, but after several months of effort, negotiations have fallen through to the point that they have relinquished his ‘discovery rights’.”I’ve spoken to him, but I’ll tell you what: that salary doesn’t fit our current budget in terms of his expectations,” San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps told The Sun, totally quashing the rumours.
However, there were many unknowns, as it had been revealed that an MLS team had claimed Kevin De Bruyne’s discovery rights to negotiate with the player: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
What are MLS discovery rights?
It is a rule of the United States league that, in essence, gives the team the privilege of heading the list to negotiate with him if he decides to venture to play in MLS. Teams have the possibility of incorporating up to five players in their discovery rights list at any time, and by registering him on that list, that club is guaranteed the unique privilege of taking the lead in talks without others getting in the way. No opponents, no obstacles, just them and the unparalleled opportunity to persuade him, a very controversial rule, but one that in a way gives ‘justice’.
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