Kevin De Bruyne is in line for a shock deal as the first club makes a concrete approach to sign the Manchester City star when he leaves the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
Man City legend De Bruyne announced in an emotional statement at the start of the month that he will be ending his incredible spell at the club this summer.
Clubs all over the world quickly mobilised their recruitment teams, with rumoured interest from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer among the touted destinations.
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Talk of a link-up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami followed reports that De Bruyne is keen to move to the United States with his family, while interest from former club Wolfsburg has also been floated on the waters of social media.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now exclusively reports that it's "deal on" after the first serious approach for De Bruyne's services.
The 33-year-old, a Champions League winner and multiple Premier League champion with Man City, appears to be destined for MLS.
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But Romano's shock exclusive isn't an approach from Inter Miami. Instead, it's one of their Eastern Conference rivals who've made their move to become De Bruyne's next club.
MLS side Chicago Fire have made an approach to sign De Bruyne on a free transfer, according to Romano's post on X, formerly Twitter.
"De Bruyne will assess all options in the next days and weeks, but Chicago Fire are now showing strong interest with a specific project to attract KDB," posted the renowned football transfer journalist.
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"Deal on."
De Bruyne would need to be signed to a designated player contract with the Fire, now managed by former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Hugo Cuypers and new signing Jonathan Bamba currently carry that label, which originated when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy and is known colloquially as the Beckham Rule.
De Bruyne will have many more suitors in the coming days and weeks but Romano's report indicates the possibility of a quick decision about his future ahead of next season.
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The MLS playing a summer schedule might impact the timing of any move to Chicago or elsewhere.
Despite the automatic triggering of a contract extension at Man City, the Belgian is expected to leave as announced.
Topics: Man City, Kevin De Bruyne
Chris Nee