BREAKING NEWS: Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club, has withdrawn from signing a Manchester City star after the club demanded £100 million. Although a personal agreement with the player was reached, the deal has now been canceled.

Kevin De Bruyne, the 33-year-old Belgian playmaker, is currently in the final year of his contract at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. As he approaches the end of his current deal, the midfielder has caught the eye of clubs in the Saudi Pro League, which is known for its significant financial power. However, despite this interest, there has been no progress on a contract extension with Manchester City.

Al-Ittihad, a prominent club in the Saudi Pro League, was particularly keen to sign De Bruyne. The club, which has already secured high-profile players like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho, viewed De Bruyne as a valuable addition to their squad. Reports indicate that De Bruyne was open to their lucrative offer.

However, according to transfer expert Rudy Galetti, negotiations between Al-Ittihad and Manchester City have stalled.

The sticking point appears to be the transfer fee. Manchester City reportedly rejected Al-Ittihad’s initial bid of £25 million ($32 million), as the English club is holding out for a fee closer to £50 million ($64 million).

For now, Al-Ittihad has decided to withdraw from the pursuit of De Bruyne, at least temporarily. The club believes they have sufficient midfield options, with Houssem Aouar already on their roster.

However, if De Bruyne does not renew his contract with Manchester City and becomes a free agent in 2025, it is likely that Al-Ittihad will revisit their interest in the player. This situation leaves the door open for a potential future move, depending on how De Bruyne’s contract situation develops in the coming months.