Kevin De Bruyne: MLS chief breaks silence on transfer for Man City star

San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps shut down speculation linking the new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise with a move for Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne.

The fading Belgian playmaker will be out of contract at the end of June and Pep Guardiola has distanced himself from discussions over a new deal. "He will be 34 years old at the end of the season and he has to decide," the City boss pointedly noted. "What happens belongs to him and the club."

Speculation surrounding De Bruyne's next team has included a return to Belgium or the riches of Saudi Arabia. However, San Diego FC have been linked with the ex-Chelsea player since last summer.

The California club's sporting director was keen to quell the bubbling gossip.

"Those rumours, I don't know where they come from," Heaps said, quoted by the Manchester Evening News. "I talked to the agent. 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."

Heaps went on to underline precisely why his club are in no position to sign De Bruyne: "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 is thought to be one of the highest-paid footballers on the planet, let alone in the Premier League. After hiring a data analysis company to provide a statistical estimation of his value to City, the prolific creator penned a deal reportedly worth £26.9m per year back in 2021.

MLS salaries are capped at an annual income of £575,657 but three players at each club are entitled to sums outside the restrictions. San Diego already have two of these 'designated players' - Anders Dreyer and Hirving Lozano - so could theoretically complete their three allotted slots with De Bruyne. Yet, as Heaps outlined, the ageing City star's demands "won't fit our budget".

No player in North America's top tier can match De Bruyne's current City salary. Even Lionel Messi, Inter Miami's feted star player, is 'only' entitled to guaranteed compensation the equivalent of £15.8m per year according to the MLS Players' Association. The second-highest paid star in the division, Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne, earns less than half of De Bruyne's pay packet (£11.9m).

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