In what could be one of the most high-profile moves in Major League Soccer history, Chicago Fire FC are reportedly in advanced discussions with Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne ahead of the 2025 MLS season. The 33-year-old Belgian, who is expected to leave the Premier League champions at the end of the current campaign, has become a top target for the ambitious MLS side.

According to ESPN and AS, Chicago Fire have made a formal approach for De Bruyne, aiming to secure him on a designated player deal. The club is now considered a frontrunner in the MLS race to land the Belgian international, who has also attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. However, reports suggest De Bruyne is more intrigued by the sporting project in Chicago than the more lucrative financial offers from the Middle East.

The path to the transfer has opened due to Inter Miami CF’s designated player slots already being filled by Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Although Miami initially held De Bruyne’s MLS discovery rights a league mechanism that gives teams priority in negotiations—those rights have not translated into a feasible move due to roster limitations.

Chicago Fire, on the other hand, present a compelling destination. The club has one designated player slot available and is eager to add a creative leader to bolster their attacking setup under head coach Gregg Berhalter. With Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers and Ivorian winger Jonathan Bamba already on the roster, De Bruyne’s potential arrival could significantly elevate the team’s quality and profile within MLS.

De Bruyne himself has not committed to a specific destination but has made it clear that he’s open to exploring new opportunities outside Europe. "Whatever project is available, I’m willing to listen," the midfielder stated in a recent interview, leaving the door wide open for a possible transatlantic switch.

This wouldn’t be Chicago’s first foray into high-profile recruitment. The club previously pursued global stars like Neymar and now seem determined to land a marquee name who can deliver both on the pitch and in marketing value.

Should the move materialize, De Bruyne would follow in the footsteps of global icons like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Messi in choosing MLS as the next chapter of their careers. The coming weeks will be crucial as Chicago Fire work to finalize terms and convince one of Europe’s finest playmakers to bring his talents to the Windy City.