Chelsea stance on Kevin De Bruyne revealed after Manchester City star hands Pep Guardiola Club World Cup blow | OneFootball

Chelsea’s stance on a possible swoop for Kevin De Bruyne has been revealed in a new report as the Manchester City midfielder prepares for a new chapter ahead of leaving the club in the coming months.

De Bruyne is set to part ways with the four-in-a-row Premier League champions after being told he is not part of Pep Guardiola’s plans for the 2025-26 campaign, with the 33-year-old having struggled for fitness and consistency in the last 12-18 months.

The Belgium international has – since announcing his upcoming departure – revealed he was left shocked when club bosses relayed their decision on his future as De Bruyne holds a firm belief he still has plenty to offer and compete at the highest level.

It remains to be seen where the six-time Premier League winner will be playing next season as clubs across Europe, Saudi Arabia and the United States queue up to secure the arrival of one of the world’s best midfielders.

Aston Villa are the latest club in the Premier League known to have held internal talks over a potential move for De Bruyne after the Belgian refused to rule out staying in England and joining one of Manchester City’s direct rivals.

Clubs in the Major League Soccer and Saudi Arabia have held a long-standing interest in the Manchester City midfielder, who is believed to prefer the United States to settle his family over Saudi Arabia as a destination.

De Bruyne is also understood to be wary of featuring for Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States between June and July – as a precaution to avoid any further injury setbacks that could derail him joining his next club.

As a result, the playmaker has reportedly informed Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola of his desire to leave the club at the end of their Premier League campaign so as to recover and take some time off with his family to assess offers and make a decision on his future.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Chelsea are unlikely to make a move for De Bruyne and bring their former player back to Stamford Bridge ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer of transfer dealings in west London, as reported by Matt Law writing for the Daily Telegraph.

De Bruyne joined Chelsea from boyhood club Genk in 2012 and after a loan spell at German side Werder Bremen, the midfielder was deemed surplus to requirements by then Blues manager Jose Mourinho, who sold De Bruyne to Wolfsburg in January 2014.