Major League Soccer has sparked a firestorm of speculation after San Diego FC’s sporting director addressed rumors of a blockbuster move for Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne. With the Belgian maestro’s contract expiring this summer and Pep Guardiola openly distancing himself from renewal talks, whispers of a Stateside switch have crescendoed. But as the MLS expansion franchise scrambles to clarify its stance, one glaring obstacle emerges: even America’s top tier might not be rich enough for De Bruyne’s wallet.
Rumor vs. Reality: San Diego FC’s blunt denial
San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps didn’t mince words when asked about links to Kevin De Bruyne, whose annual £26.9 million ($34 million) City salary dwarfs MLS’s financial framework. “Those rumours, I don’t know where they come from,” Heaps told Manchester Evening News, revealing he’d even confronted the player’s agent. “Every time I see [the rumors], I say, ‘Are you the one saying all this stuff?’”
While Heaps acknowledged De Bruyne’s fondness for Southern California—“He goes on holidays here every single year”—he shot down any notion of a deal. “Those wages won’t fit our budget…in terms of what his expectations are.” The math is unforgiving: MLS caps base salaries at £575,657 (730k), though teams can sign three “Designated Players” exempt from these limits. San Diego already has two (Anders Dreyer and Hirving Lozano), but De Bruyne’s demands eclipse even Lionel Messi’s MLS−leading £15.8million (20 million) earnings.
Why Kevin De Bruyne’s move is a pipe dream
For context, Toronto FC’s Lorenzo Insigne—the league’s second-highest earner—pockets £11.9 million ($15 million) annually. De Bruyne’s current deal nearly doubles that figure, making him one of football’s priciest stars. While Guardiola has nudged the 33-year-old to “decide” his future, MLS’s financial structure can’t stretch to accommodate his paycheck without league-wide rule changes.
Heaps’ candor underscores a harsh truth: even with Designated Player slots, MLS clubs lack the fiscal muscle to compete with Saudi Pro League offers or sentimental returns to Belgium. Kevin De Bruyne’s camp has floated both options, but San Diego’s interest—however speculative—highlights MLS’s ambitious yet pragmatic approach to aging superstars.
What’s next for De Bruyne?
With City’s chapter closing, Kevin De Bruyne faces a career crossroads. Saudi Arabia’s limitless funds and Belgium’s emotional pull loom large, while MLS remains a distant third. For San Diego FC, the focus shifts to realistic targets, but the mere mention of De Bruyne’s name signals the league’s hunger for global relevance—even when the numbers don’t add up.