Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne agrees Al Ittihad personal terms.

 

Missed out again

 

Greedy *******

 

Hardly set the world alight at the Euros. Saudi league acquiring past their best players is the way I thought it would go. Not sure it will be long term issue.

 

Aye, the appeal of it will wear off eventually and it'll probably collapse.

Remember about 10 years ago when all the top ageing pro's were nipping off to China for a pay day? That ended in tears.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67509606

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...iled-incredible-money-offer-Saudi-Arabia.html

Obviously going not because of the money but because the draw of playing for Laurent Blanc is too strong. He's nowhere near the player he was and is injury prone. City with their scouting system will get someone just as good who's younger and cheaper.

 

It's how the MLS started in the states probably 40 years ago now a lot of the stars of the day went.. passed there sell by date of course.. Pele, Beckenbauer went to New York Cosmos. Best, Rodney Marsh at Tampa.. a bit hoohaar then all faded away..
Not saying this will but the past says the novelty wears off quickly

 

Loves a bit of sportswashing does Kev

 

A salary cap of "only" £52,000 a week. Things must have been pretty desperate for the players having to survive on that.

 

I vaguely recall a strange story about a Chinese club offering Scunthorpe something ridiculous like £4m for their striker, Kevin Van Veen. He pushed for a move (presumably because he was promised a lot of money), but bizarrely, Scunthorpe rejected it. He wasn't prolific, and the whole scenario was a bit weird. Think Don Rowing might have been behind the scenes at Scunny at the time which explains a few things.

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-for-kevin-van-veen-from-chinese-super-league

How the mighty Scunny have fallen since the days of wanting 8 million for a player.

 

£8m that was it. In fairness, it says more about the ridiculous nature of the Chinese league than it does about Scunthorpe (though they really should have taken the money). He was a half million player on a good day.

 

He was one of Belgiums only decent players after the first game, hes certainly not past his best yet Helen! An unbelievable talent. Really surprised City aren't keeping him for at least 1 more year. Rememberthe form last season before his return? It was just an upward trajectory in results and performances when he did come back, bit like when they lose Rodri but not as severe.

Thought they struggled last year due to some stalwarts leaving. They might do it again despite their spending

 

He's on the cusp though @Tyke The Tree-Frog!

 

Really!!, City by their standards were plodding along while he was injured and only moved up a gear when he returned....outstanding player and he will take some replacing........sithi.

 

Another one we’ve missed out on. No ambition. Sack the board!!

 

To be fair to De Bruyne he’s been very open and candid about being open to go to Saudi, speaking about the incredible amounts of money on offer.

He’s 33, he’s not going to get any better, and city might fancy a bit of a transfer fee for him.

He’ll be a miss but he won’t be signing another deal there anyway; they might as well let him go now for a bit of a fee and free up a top earner wage. I know money isn’t an object but they have to behave themselves with spend.

Good deal all round, just City supporters that miss out I guess. But they’ll get a new hero.

 

Think the difference with the Saudis is that they can sustain the big fees and wages indefinitely

 

Excellent player but his injury record & him regularly underperforming in big games means he just falls below the very elite in my opinion.

Seems like a move that makes perfect sense for both parties.

 

Been a joy to watch him in the Premier League. Personally think this is a smart move all round. Can see Foden playing more centrally next season and there's been talk of City signing Dani Olmo from Leipzig which would be a good replacement whilst Kevin gets a great payday before retirement.