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Chicago Fire are trying hard to sign Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent. There are rumors he might join Inter Miami. De Bruyne will be available this summer after stating he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024-25 season.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Kevin De Bruyne said he will leave Manchester City when his contract ends in June. He has been at the club for a decade, winning six league titles and a Champions League trophy. He contributed 188 goals and assists in 279 appearances for the club. After his announcement, rumors suggested he might join Major League Soccer, with Inter Miami said to have his MLS discovery rights. However, Chicago Fire are not giving up. They are working hard to convince De Bruyne to join them as they look to make a big signing for the upcoming season.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
De Bruyne, 33, is still one of the most respected midfielders in world football. However, injuries and team changes reduced his influence at City during the 2024-25 season. Despite this, his playmaking ability makes him a target for clubs in MLS, Saudi Arabia, and Europe. Signing De Bruyne would be a big boost for Chicago Fire. The fire are trying to move up the MLS Eastern Conference standings and excite fans again. Currently, they are in the lower half of the table and need a star signing to improve results and their profile especially as other teams in the MLS have done so in recent years and revived their fanbase.
WHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE AND CHICAGO FIRE?
With the summer transfer window near, Chicago Fire’s push for De Bruyne is expected to get stronger. However, they face tough competition. Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi and competing for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, are the favorites to sign him if discovery rights work in their favor. Chicago Fire’s next game is against playoff hopefuls Philadelphia Union. The Fire are only a few points above the bottom and need to catch up with the teams ahead of them. Signing De Bruyne could be the move that changes their fortunes for the rest of the season.
