There has been an unexpected twist to Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City and their fans hope West Ham are involved.
Arguably one of, if not the, greatest Premier League players of all-time, Kevin De Bruyne this week announced he is leaving Man City after 10 years.
That news would have gone down well with Manchester City’s Premier League rivals, including West Ham, given how good De Bruyne has been against them down the years.
It means De Bruyne, who is younger than many might think at 33, becomes the biggest name on the free agent market this summer.
De Bruyne set to be the top free agent
That particular market is where cash-strapped West Ham are planning to do much of their shopping this summer.
As moves for Jonathan David and Kyle Walker-Peters prove.
The Hammers claim they have reached their PSR limit ahead of the next window.
As a result West Ham’s owners say they ‘need to be clever’ with their summer business.
De Bruyne was widely expected to now go and play out his days on a big contract in Saudi or MLS.
But there was a surprising twist after he orchestrated – and scored in – Man City’s 5-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace.
De Bruyne makes stunning claim on future
Because De Bruyne has made a stunning claim and worried Man City fans hope it’s West Ham.
The Belgian midfield maestro rolled back the years to give Manchester City’s chances of making the Champions League a major boost.
De Bruyne scored a free-kick and then assisted Mateo Kovacic after Man City had gone two goals down in the first half.
Afterwards he revealed he is open to joining another Premier League side, but is yet to make up his mind.
“I don’t know (if I will move to another Premier League club) yet,” De Bruyne admitted.
“It could be, could be not.
“It’s very hard because the decision of leaving is not been long so nothing can be decided in a week.”
Worried Man City fans hope it’s West Ham
De Bruyne also said he feels great now he is finally pain free after persistent hernia issues.
An ageing star on a free transfer – West Ham fans have seen this story before.
Although landing a player of De Bruyne’s talents would be another level to previous West Ham retirement captures seen in their Premier League past.
Majority owner David Sullivan loves a bargain and De Bruyne could be one of the biggest ever.
Even if his salary might match it.
Many believe the former Chelsea midfielder should not tarnish his legacy by seeing out his glittering career in a football backwater.
But if he is to stay in the Premier League, many Manchester City fans hope it will be with West Ham.
The two clubs have enjoyed a close bond down the years.
hey may not have too much in common nowadays, but historically the Premier League rivals have spent much of their existence living in the shadows of rivals.
The friendship between the clubs and their fans dates back to a famous game between the Hammers and Man City 38 years ago.
‘Please tell me De Bruyne’s off to West Ham’
It’s a bond that clearly hasn’t been broken as West Ham supporters joined in celebrating Man City’s title triumph when they lost 3-1 at the Etihad on the final day of last season to deny Arsenal the title.
Now one of the top Manchester City social media accounts has reacted to De Bruyne’s bombshell.
“Hold on, Kevin De Bruyne said he’s open to staying in England??” Real Talk Manchester City posted to it near 75k following.
“Dear God, please tell me he’s off to West Ham.”
West Ham fans reacting to the post were all saying the same thing.
That De Bruyne would be welcomed with open arms in east London – but the Hammers couldn’t afford his undoubtedly huge wages.
“April Fools Day has come and gone,” one Hammers fans said.
“Man City better resign him if he is to stay in England,” a Manchester City supporter responded.
“We couldn’t afford his wages unfortunately,” a West Ham fan added.
Another agreed, saying: “We couldn’t afford his wages mate. I’d love that to be true though.”
One of several other Hammers supporters also cited the wages issue.
“WE WOULD LOVE HIM (we can’t pay his wages),” he said.
One West Ham fan pointed out how good Pablo Zabaleta was for them when he left Manchester City as an ageing legend.
“Would love him, but we couldn’t afford his wages. Zabaleta was good when he left you and joined us,” he said.
“Yes please,” another Hammers fan added.
De Bruyne to West Ham is clearly highly unlikely to happen.
Especially as Graham Potter looks to drive down the age of West Ham’s squad.
But it shows just how close the bond is between City and the Hammers that their fans would only accept him moving to the London Stadium if he stays in the Premier League.
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