Fabrizio Romano: Chicago Fire make move for departing Man City playmaker | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne and the Chicago Pivot: A Farewell Wrapped in Possibility

End of an Era at Manchester City

It is difficult to fully grasp the weight of Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City until you begin to unpick what he has meant to English football. The Belgian, once a misunderstood Chelsea cast-off, has become the heartbeat of the modern Manchester City era. Now, as Fabrizio Romano reports, De Bruyne is preparing for a new chapter — and Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer are the first to formally approach.

For a club built around the rhythms of Pep Guardiola’s style, De Bruyne has been the jazz — structured but improvisational, technical but instinctive. That he leaves as a free agent this summer only reinforces the sense that this is a natural conclusion, a closing paragraph without acrimony.

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He confirmed the news himself: “I don’t know. It could be not,” he told Viaplay when asked about the prospect of staying in the Premier League. “It’s very hard because the decision of leaving has not been long so nothing can be decided in a week.”

A Transatlantic Temptation

While the European elite might be quietly circling, it’s the MLS side Chicago Fire who have made the first decisive move, according to Romano. It’s an audacious but not entirely surprising bid. The league has long coveted a marquee playmaker who blends global status with actual game-changing ability. In De Bruyne, they see a player who could do for them what David Beckham once did for LA Galaxy, albeit with less fanfare and more finesse.

Whether he takes that offer remains uncertain. “Whatever project is available, I’m willing to listen,” De Bruyne added. “I love football… and if a nice project comes, and my family is good with that then we are able to make a decision.”

That statement feels significant. This isn’t just about the final years of a career; it’s about lifestyle, family, and perhaps a desire to step away from the relentless intensity of English football. For all his accolades, De Bruyne has rarely sought the spotlight. A quieter, more measured setting like MLS could suit him well.

Possibility Over Finality

There is a peculiar stillness to De Bruyne’s impending exit. Perhaps that’s by design. There is no grand farewell tour, no theatrics. Just a slow fade, marked by curiosity over what comes next. For City, it might be a sharp jolt — the moment when the cycle begins to truly turn.

The midfielder’s open-ended remarks give clubs across continents a signal: approach with vision, not just money. His priorities are clearly defined — family stability and a compelling project. The fact that he’s had “not even seen my family since the announcement” hints at how abrupt the internal decision must have been.

Chicago Fire’s interest should not be dismissed lightly. MLS has often been viewed as a semi-retirement league, but the landscape is shifting. Lionel Messi has changed perceptions. De Bruyne, should he follow, would confirm a recalibration of how top European stars end their careers.

Our View – EPL Index

From the perspective of a Manchester City fan, this report evokes both melancholy and a strange sense of peace. Kevin De Bruyne has long felt like more than just a player — he was the rhythm to Guardiola’s melody, the thinking man’s footballer who could split defences with a glance. To see him go is difficult, yes, but it also feels like the right moment.

At 33, with his injury record creeping longer, the demands of the Premier League may no longer align with his body’s timeline. That said, the idea of him playing in MLS — especially for a side like Chicago Fire — seems slightly left-field. There’s hope among fans that if he is to leave, it would be for a club capable of matching his footballing intellect, perhaps in La Liga or Serie A.

But more than anything, City fans will be watching for how the club replaces him. Phil Foden’s evolution is promising, but no one truly plays like De Bruyne. In truth, no one ever did.