(Image: PA)
Kevin De Bruyne has held initial talks with MLS new-boys San Diego over a potential summer move, with his contract expiring at Manchester City in June.
However, the newest MLS franchise have ruled themselves out of the running to sign De Bruyne, 33, as speculation hots up over his future beyond the current season.
De Bruyne is yet to begin contract talks with City over a new deal that would take him into an 11th season at the Etihad. His form has dropped this season after more inconsistency with fitness, and Pep Guardiola has left the decision up to De Bruyne over how he wants to end his career.
A move to the US has been something mentioned in the background for some time, and now there appears to be some substance as San Diego Sporting Director Tyler Heaps confirmed talks with De Bruyne's agent.
“Those rumours, I don’t know where they come from. I talked to the agent," he said. "The agent has many players, obviously. Every time I see it, I say, ‘Are you the one that is saying all this stuff?'
“He’s a fantastic footballer and he loves this area. He goes on holidays here every single year, but I’m not sure where that rumour keeps coming from."
However, Heaps confirmed that San Diego are not in a position to turn those talks into a concrete offer to De Bruyne, mainly due to his significant wage demands. All MLS clubs are bound by a salary cap with the maximum yearly salary being £575,657. De Bruyne's reported weekly wage at City would take him past that figure in two or three weeks, and while clubs can sign three designated players outside of that salary cap, De Bruyne's demands would likely exceed what San Diego would be able to offer as a relatively new franchise.
Heaps continued: "I've had conversations with him, but I'll tell you what, those wages won't fit our budget at the moment in terms of what his expectations are."
De Bruyne's future is no closer to being decided, however City are able to sanction a temporary extension to his deal in order to allow him to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer. FIFA have introduced temporary rules to accommodate players with expiring contracts given the tournament takes place between June and July, with most professional contracts ending at the end of June.
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