Cristiano Ronaldo urging Al-Nassr bosses to make staggering £1 million-a-week offer to Manchester City superstar | OneFootball

Manchester City could be at the centre of a fight to keep hold of one of the club’s greatest-ever players amid transfer interest from Saudi Arabia and a football icon.

That concerns the future of Kevin De Bruyne who, like his manager at the Etihad Stadium, is into the final 12 months of his existing Manchester City contract and is likely to face crunch talks over his future in the game very soon.

De Bruyne is currently sidelined with a groin injury but is expected to make a return after the international break in October, as Manchester City staff pay close attention to his form and fitness with regards to a potential new contractual proposal.

In light of his ongoing contract situation, the 33-year-old has spoken on multiple occasions over a potential move away from the European game, and said in the summer, “I’ve read a lot of headlines about a transfer, but haven’t spoken to anyone.

“I saw him [Michael Emanalo, Saudi Pro League Sporting Director] at the Club World Cup,” he continued. “I know Michael – it makes sense to chat. But it wasn’t about that.”

And while a move to the Middle-East was ruled out then, it appears as though interest from the Saudi Arabian game has in fact intensified, with key figures now encouraging an approach for arguably the Premier League’s greatest-ever midfielder.

According to the information of the Mirror’s Simon Mullock, Cristiano Ronaldo is now urging bosses at Saudi Pro League side, Al-Nassr to make Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne an eyewatering £1million-a-week offer.

It is the belief of the Portugal international superstar that De Bruyne would ‘transform’ the Riyadh-based club into the best side in the Saudi Pro League, and as such wants club officials to take advantage of the Belgian’s ongoing contractual situation at the Etihad Stadium.

It is commonly known that Kevin De Bruyne will become a free agent next summer and while City are planning talks over a new deal, the 33-year-old will reportedly have to take a ‘significant cut’ in his £375,000-a-week wages to extend his stay in Manchester.

De Bruyne has already commented on the vast sums that are on offer in the Middle-East, telling reporters over the summer, “At my age you have to be open. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career.

“Sometimes you have to think about that. If I play there for two years, I’ll be able to earn an incredible amount.”

However, Saudi Arabian officials would likely face a direct clash with counterparts from Major League Soccer, with a common belief within the game being that a switch to United States would appeal more should he decide to leave Manchester City.

One report in May claimed that De Bruyne’s camp had in fact held a conversation with MLS side San Diego FC, as the California city is a place the Belgian and his family would consider if he were to play in the United States.