Premier League champions make bold bid to sign playmaker as Trent Alexander-Arnold nears Real Madrid switch
In a stunning twist that could reshape the Premier League landscape, Liverpool have reportedly submitted a shock contract offer to outgoing Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.
According to respected Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the Reds have made a formal approach to sign the Belgian midfielder, whose departure from City at the end of the season has already been confirmed. De Bruyne, 33, is set to leave the Etihad after nearly a decade of silverware-laden success, and Liverpool are now in pole position to secure his signature.
The move is as audacious as it is symbolic. Liverpool recently dethroned Manchester City to reclaim the Premier League title and are now targeting one of the champions’ most iconic players in what would be one of the most sensational intra-league transfers in recent memory.
Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City Exit Confirmed
De Bruyne’s exit had been widely speculated in recent months, with injuries and age slowly reducing his on-field role under Pep Guardiola. Despite this, he remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders in world football, with unmatched vision, passing range, and tactical intelligence.
The Belgian maestro joined City in 2015 from VfL Wolfsburg and went on to become a central figure in the club’s most successful era. He played a pivotal role in five Premier League title wins, multiple domestic cups, and the club’s long-awaited UEFA Champions League triumph in 2023.
City confirmed earlier this month that De Bruyne will be leaving as part of a planned squad evolution. The club is reportedly preparing to rebuild around younger talent, while De Bruyne is seeking a final major chapter in his career.
Liverpool’s Midfield Rebuild Begins
Liverpool’s interest in De Bruyne comes amid a period of significant transition at Anfield. Fresh off winning the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot, the club is preparing for the departure of one of its most influential figures — Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The England international is reportedly close to finalizing a move to Real Madrid, leaving behind a substantial creative void in Liverpool’s playmaking structure. Though Alexander-Arnold has primarily operated as a right-back, his hybrid midfield role under Jürgen Klopp made him one of the team’s top assist providers.
Replacing that level of creativity and vision will not be easy — but De Bruyne, even at 33, offers a ready-made solution.
Slot is said to be a long-time admirer of De Bruyne’s game and believes the veteran could not only fill the creative gap left by Alexander-Arnold but also mentor Liverpool’s younger midfield talents, including Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
A Bold and Risky Gamble
The idea of De Bruyne donning Liverpool red is already generating shockwaves among fans and pundits alike. In the fiercely competitive and often tribal world of Premier League football, switches between top rivals are rare — especially when it involves a player as iconic as De Bruyne.
However, the transfer makes sense on several fronts. De Bruyne reportedly wants to stay in Europe, with his family settled in England. Liverpool, now league champions again and back in the UEFA Champions League, can offer him both high-level competition and a new challenge.
There are also financial incentives. With Alexander-Arnold’s exit potentially freeing up significant wages and funds from a likely lucrative sale, Liverpool are well-positioned to meet De Bruyne’s salary demands. The club is reportedly offering a two-year deal with an option for a third, along with a signing-on bonus.
Competition from Napoli
Liverpool are not alone in the race. Serie A side Napoli have also expressed interest in De Bruyne, and sources close to the player suggest the Italian club has presented a compelling offer that includes the chance to play a central role in a team undergoing its own tactical evolution.
Napoli recently hired a new manager and are aiming to reassert themselves as domestic and European contenders. De Bruyne would be a marquee signing for a club that has ambitions of reclaiming the Scudetto and making a deeper run in the Champions League.
Still, Liverpool’s status as Premier League champions and their renewed momentum under Slot may give them the edge.
What This Means for Manchester City
If De Bruyne does indeed join Liverpool, the move would represent a rare instance of a former Manchester City star joining a direct rival at the peak of competitive contention. The two clubs have been engaged in a bitter on-pitch rivalry for the better part of a decade, and tensions could reach a new high if the Belgian lines up against his old side next season.
Manchester City are expected to respond swiftly in the transfer market. Reports indicate they are targeting several midfielders this summer, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá, to fill the creative gap left by De Bruyne.
Conclusion
While a deal is not yet finalized, Liverpool’s approach for Kevin De Bruyne signals a bold new chapter for the club — one that could strengthen their dominance and simultaneously deal a symbolic blow to their closest rivals.
Should the transfer materialize, it will go down as one of the most headline-grabbing moves in recent Premier League history, adding yet another layer of intrigue to a rivalry that already defines modern English football.
All eyes are now on De Bruyne, who must decide between familiarity in England and a new adventure abroad. But one thing is clear: his next move could shape the balance of power in Europe’s top leagues for years to come.
