Liverpool have reportedly entered the frame to sign Manchester City's soon-to-be-departing playmaker Kevin De Bruyne this summer.
The Belgium international announced at the beginning of April that he will bring the curtain down on his glittering 10-year career at the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season.
De Bruyne will go down as one of the Premier League's greatest players after winning six English top-flight titles, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups, as well as the Champions League as part of a historic treble in 2022-23 in an unprecedented period of success for the Citizens.
The two-time Premier League Player of the Season is still unsure whether he will represent Pep Guardiola's side at this summer's FIFA Club World Cup, and as things stand, his contract will run out on June 30, two days after his 34th birthday.
Having now entered the later stages of his career and having struggled with injuries in recent seasons, Man City have decided against offering De Bruyne a contract extension for next season and speculation over his next destination has subsequently intensified.
De Bruyne seemed to express his disappointment over City's decision to let him go after scoring the match-winner in a 1-0 success over Wolves in the Premier League last week, insisting: "I have shown I can still play here, otherwise I don't do what I do these last four or five weeks."
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Could De Bruyne stay in PL and join champions Liverpool?
It is understood that MLS outfit Chicago Fire are in talks with De Bruyne's representatives and have now moved ahead of Inter Miami, who are said to have ended their pursuit of the playmaker.
However, De Bruyne's desire to stay in Europe and continue to compete at the highest level could have an impact on his future, with two new European clubs having now joined the race for his signature.
According to Sky Sports Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, De Bruyne has received an offer from Premier League champions Liverpool to stay in England.
The prospect of De Bruyne moving to Anfield would come as a concern to Man City supporters; prior to this campaign, the legendary playmaker was a key cog in Guardiola's machine that won five Premier League titles in six seasons and regularly fended off stiff competition from Liverpool, who are seen by many as one of City's main modern-day rivals.
De Bruyne recently refused to ruled out joining another Premier League, telling Viaplay: "There's always a challenge, for me next year I don't know what's going to happen.
"If teams come and they can convince me that something sporting is nice, a nice project, I'm able. I know, obviously, I'm not the youngest any more but I still feel I'm able to perform at a very high level.
"I don't know what teams are interested or what they want to do, but whatever project is available I'm willing to listen. I love football, I love to play football, if a nice project comes and my family is also good with that then we are able to make a decision."
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Arne Slot is believed to be keen to bolster his midfield options this summer and the potential addition of De Bruyne could see him finally play alongside Mohamed Salah, another Premier League great who once signed for Chelsea just five days after De Bruyne left Stamford Bridge permanently back in January 2014.
Sky Sports News claims that De Bruyne's reluctance to uproot his family and prioritising both his football and home life when making a decision on his next destination has alerted several Premier League teams, with Liverpool seemingly the latest of those to express an interest.
Napoli 'seriously trying' to sign De Bruyne
Aston Villa are another club who are believed to hold an interest in De Bruyne, while Di Marzio adds in his report that Serie A title hopefuls Napoli are 'seriously trying' to sign the playmaker.
It is claimed that the Azzurri are 'banking' on the great relationship De Bruyne has with Belgium international teammate Romelu Lukaku and hope that he can be persuaded to make the move to Italy.
Napoli's 'concrete attempt' to sign De Bruyne is said to be a sign of how much president Aurelio De Laurentiis and sporting director Giovanni Manna are aiming high at Napoli for the coming seasons.
Oliver Thomas
