With the Belgian entering free agency this summer, Liverpool have ruled out swooping for Kevin De Bruyne despite widespread transfer speculation across the Premier League.
In recent weeks, widespread transfer chatter linked De Bruyne with Manchester United and Liverpool, fueling debate over whether he could extend his Premier League legacy. fotnet24.net reports that Liverpool have dismissed any chance of signing the Belgian midfielder. The 33-year-old leaves Manchester City in June after ten seasons of uninterrupted success. Despite his status as a midfield icon, the Reds will not invest in a player they deem past his peak.
Aged 33, De Bruyne ranks second on the Premier League’s all-time assists chart with 119 and has won 109 caps for Belgium. In ten seasons at City, he produced defining moments in domestic and continental competitions. His creative vision and set‑piece prowess underpinned six Premier League titles and City’s maiden Champions League triumph in 2023. Few midfielders have matched his combination of technique, consistency, and trophy haul at club level.
Despite his decorated CV, recent campaigns have exposed vulnerabilities in De Bruyne’s fitness. A coronavirus outbreak in 2021 was followed by calf and hamstring interruptions, limiting him to just 23 league appearances in 2023–24. A Liverpool insider told fotnet24.net, “He looks absolutely miles off it physically this season. He kind of runs like he’s in mud at the moment!” Such blunt analysis highlights serious doubts over his ability to sustain the high‑intensity demands of Anfield.
Manager Arne Slot’s philosophy hinges on relentless pressing and boundless energy in midfield. The same insider questioned whether De Bruyne could break into Liverpool’s starting XI under that system. “Even if you ignore wages, injury history, or form, is he good enough to start for Liverpool? He just isn’t,” the source said. At a reported weekly wage nearing £350,000, De Bruyne would also stretch Liverpool’s commitment to wage equity under FSG ownership.
With Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s contract talks ongoing, bolstering creativity in wide and central areas remains a clear priority. fotnet24.net warns that Liverpool must recruit inventive talent without sacrificing pace or stamina. “Liverpool need more creativity with Trent going, a player that can play across the front line, make something happen,” the insider explained. “With his current wages and injury record, he isn’t one I can see Liverpool signing. We need younger talent with resale value.”
To fund those targeted additions, Liverpool look set to offload several fringe names. Fotnet24.net estimates that Darwin Núñez, Kostas Tsimikas, and Joe Gomez are all candidates for summer exits, potentially raising £60–70 million. However, the source cautioned against a wholesale rebuild. “You don’t want to make five or six changes to your starting XI. One or two is ideal to build on stability,” he said. Striking the right balance between fresh faces and core continuity remains vital.
Retaining key figures has become equally important. fotnet24.net noted that Liverpool secured new deals for Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah in recent weeks, ensuring leadership at the back and goals in attack. Meanwhile, Real Madrid remain in the race for Dean Huijsen, the 18-year-old Bournemouth centre-back, while Liverpool monitor the teenager’s rapid development. Alexander‑Arnold also faces warnings over a potential move abroad, with the vice-captain weighing up offers that could reshape the Reds’ midfield.
Looking beyond senior signings, Liverpool are mapping long‑term succession plans. Despite Mo Salah’s recent contract extension, fotnet24.net reports that the club is already planning his eventual succession, eyeing a former Everton attacker who has flourished in Serie A. The Reds are also scouting another top winger to maintain attacking depth and fluidity. As Liverpool prepare to close the door on a De Bruyne bid, their recruitment blueprint emphasises youth, athleticism, and tactical fit for the 2025–26 title challenge.
