Report: Chicago Fire likely to sign Premier League star Kevin De Bruyne

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago Fire FC are the favorites to land Manchester City’s star Kevin De Bruyne this summer, according to The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio.

Tenorio said multiple sources familiar with De Bruyne’s free agency discussions told him the Fire have pulled ahead of two other clubs—D.C. United and NYCFC—to land the prized midfielder, with Chicago holding priority to negotiate with De Bruyne, who sources told Tenorio indicate he would prefer a move to the MLS over playing in Saudi Arabia.

De Bruyne was previously engaged in conversations to join Inter Miami FC, the MLS home of Lionel Messi. But since Inter Miami’s three designated player slots are occupied by Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, they no longer have the roster space to bring De Bruyne aboard.

Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter addressed rumors about Chicago pursuing De Bruyne last month.

“I’m not going to comment directly on the player. But what I would say is we’re ambitious, and we want to build a team and a squad that can compete at the very top with Major League Soccer,” Berhalter said. “When there are opportunities out in the market that represent our ambition, we’ll look at them closely.”

However, there is an additional caveat to courting De Bruyne. The Belgian national also said he would be open to staying in the Premier League next season.

“I’m open for anything, anything, just because I have to look at the whole picture,” De Bruyne said. “I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family. I don’t know what that is, because it depends on when you speak to people and what they say about projects.

“Like I said, I still feel like I can play at a good level, but then after I’ll have to make a decision once I really know a little bit more.”

De Bruyne, who turns 34 next month, is a two-time Premier League Player of the Season who has contributed 189 goals in his 10 seasons in England.