According to ESPN, Chicago Fire FC is in negotiations with Kevin De Bruyne, a midfielder for Manchester City, on a designated player contract. If De Bruyne decides to join MLS, Chicago Fire FC will have the advantage to sign him. The Premier League champions’ departure at the end of current season was confirmed by the Belgian.
In June, the 33-year-old’s contract with City is scheduled to end. De Bruyne’s discovery rights, a right-of-first refusal tactic used by Major League Soccer to stop its teams from bidding against each other for a player’s services, are still held by Inter Miami CF. However, with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba all having contracts expiring at the end of the current campaign, Miami already has the most DPs.
The Fire seems to have gotten in because of that. Chicago, with just two DPs on its squad and ambitious ownership in Joe Mansueto, seems to be the perfect destination should De Bruyne opt to play in Major League Soccer. New York City FC and D.C. United have also reportedly shown interest.
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