Arsenal are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer this summer. The 33-year-old Belgian international is set to leave City at the end of the season after a decade of service, and his openness to remaining in the Premier League has alerted several top clubs, including the Gunners.
According to reports, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who previously worked with De Bruyne during his time as assistant coach at Manchester City, is keen on reuniting with the playmaker to add experience and creativity to his midfield.
De Bruyne’s potential arrival raises questions about how he would fit into Arteta’s system, which currently features Martin Ødegaard as the primary attacking midfielder and Declan Rice anchoring the midfield. While Ødegaard has been a consistent performer until perhaps more recently, De Bruyne’s vision, passing range, and leadership could potentially provide an additional dimension to Arsenal’s midfield, especially in high-stake matches.
However, concerns about De Bruyne’s age (he’ll be 34 years old in June 2025) and his recent injury history cannot be overlooked. Some Arsenal fans have expressed reservations about signing a player in his mid-30s who commands a high wage, around £400,000 per week.
Despite these concerns, De Bruyne’s track record speaks for itself. With six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and a Champions League trophy, he brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality that could benefit Arsenal’s relatively young squad.
The decision to pursue De Bruyne will ultimately depend on Arsenal’s assessment of the player’s physical condition and their willingness to integrate him into a midfield that already boasts significant talent. If managed correctly, De Bruyne could serve as a mentor to younger players and provide crucial contributions in key moments.
Whether this potential signing materializes remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly adds intrigue to Arsenal’s transfer strategy.
Arsenal Debate: Is Kevin de Bruyne really the best every midfielder? I think not!
What are your thoughts Gooners? Do we need a Kevin de Bruyne in our midst?
Michelle M
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This is a signing that will never happen.
My word, this one beat all cock fight.
He’s what I would call a generation talent.
If Arsenal sign him and win the league, the gaffer would look like a genius again.
But if Arsenal happen to fall short again with aging Kevin De Bruyne in the fold, fans calling for his head would be justified.
If I was the gaffer, I wouldn’t touch him because of one important reason, Arteta is not bless with great man management craft
Kevin De Bruyne is like a powerful bad foot horse, that only need his feet to hold up for a few minutes to blow the opposition apart.
“Arteta is not bless with great man management craft”
I think that’s actually why he’s often bringing in old heads who are a bit passed their best – I think he likes to have that experience in the dressing room to help him get his messages across. It does make some sense, but I wouldn’t say it’s worth paying the enormous wages. De Bruyne is an interesting one because he does still have quality, it’s just his injuries. If he were playing a backup role, something like jorginho has for us recently, it could be good – really depends on a lot of factors I have no idea about (his personality, his desire for that kind of role, how bad his injury issues really are etc)
“I think that’s actually why he’s often bringing in old heads who are passed their best – I think he likes to have that experience in the dressing room help him get his message across ”
That’s a very interesting way to look at it, never quite see it that way, but it makes football sense, guess you are saying in another way, these older folks help sure him up.
Very interesting take
Am told Berta outrightly rejected the gaffer request for Spanish striker Alvara Morata, I couldn’t believe he was a target
Pros:
Hugely experienced, still got the magic touch, serial winner, free agent
Cons:
Huge wages, injury record, free agent is never totally free
I would sign him on a 1+1 contract IF he feels like he’s not done with the Premir League and IF he would lower his salary demand and wouldn’t command a huge signing-on fee. Then if it doesn’t work out, he can depart to Saudi or MLS for a huge salary.
Well put.
Does KDB still have enough left in the tank would be my worry. Outstanding player in his pomp
Imagine though Sue Odegarrd gets injured and you got a KDB off the bench
Leadership and experience can only help
Sounds like an signing – aged, high wages, no resale value, past glory, ex City, injury record.
Lets have this team
NKunku, Gab J, Sterling/Anthony
Kai, KDB, Odegard
Calaufori, Kiwor, Timber/White, Tomiyasu
Raya
We can say goodbye to GabM, Saliba, Partey, Saka, Martinelli – sure to move to fund the new mumpets as there is no determination to win silverware.
Interesting how some people would want Arsenal to move Partey on although his kind is scarce, but are willing to consider bringing in KDB.
Who are you referring to?
Who the cap fits.
Because one his world class and the other is not
Parley’s age and injury record with us has always been used against him yet, we prefer KDB who is two years older with worse injury history and who we are not sure can fit into the team and be established like Partey has.