No De Bruyne deal for San Diego FC: ‘He’s a fantastic footballer,’ but not in our budget

San Diego, California – Kevin De Bruyne, the 33-year-old Belgian star, is making headlines as one of the most anticipated free agents this summer. With his contract at Manchester City set to expire on June 30, rumors about his next move have been swirling, but there’s uncertainty about where his future lies. Despite offers from Saudi Arabia, De Bruyne has reportedly shown interest in moving to the United States if he decides to leave City.

One of the clubs frequently linked with De Bruyne has been San Diego FC, the MLS expansion team that’s captured the attention of soccer fans since its debut season. Since last summer, whispers of San Diego FC’s negotiations with the midfielder have only grown louder, but these rumors seem to be just that—rumors.

Tyler Heaps, the sporting director of San Diego FC, recently set the record straight. Speaking to The Sun, Heaps addressed the growing speculation and revealed that the club has not been in active talks with De Bruyne’s camp. “I don’t know where those rumors come from. I spoke to the agent. Obviously, he has a lot of players. Every time I see him, I ask him: ‘Are you the one who says all this?’ He’s a fantastic footballer and he loves to go through California,” Heaps explained.

Despite the club’s denials, many fans had hoped for a big splash in the transfer market, especially with the rumor mill buzzing about a potential move to the Southern California club. However, Heaps put the speculation to rest by acknowledging that, while San Diego FC had spoken to De Bruyne’s agent, the issue ultimately comes down to finances. “That salary doesn’t fit into our current budget in terms of his expectations,” Heaps admitted.

Though De Bruyne’s move to San Diego FC seems unlikely at this point, the possibility of him joining an MLS team in the future remains alive. The expansion team has impressed during its debut season, and while De Bruyne may not be in the cards, the club has solid talent, including franchise players Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano and Anders Dreyer. There’s still room for another key player, though it’s more likely they’ll pursue a player who fits within their budget.

For now, De Bruyne’s future remains uncertain. With lucrative offers from abroad and the possibility of a U.S. move, his next step is one that will be closely watched by fans worldwide. For San Diego FC, it looks like they’ll have to wait and see if other options emerge this summer.