If Aston Villa can make it work, adding Kevin De Bruyne is a must | OneFootball

In terms of quality, Kevin De Bruyne is up there among all-time midfielders. The discussion can become more interesting when focused only on AMs. Regardless of how you categorize positions, KDB is up there on every list. It's known that he will not be returning to Manchester City for the 2025-2026 campaign. Clubs could be on the lookout to potentially add their former Premier League rival and convince him to switch sides.

According to Sky Sports News, Aston Villa are at least considering the possibility of adding him to Unai Emery's collection of depth. While the Belgian isn't quite the same player he once was in his prime, he still has plenty of quality.

As the past windows have shown, Monchi and Emery are not shy in terms of continuing to bring players on who they feel can help the side now. Still, even the most optimistic fan would need to be skeptical of this report. It's not, just to clarify, for what De Bruyne can still do at 33 years old.

Instead, this is a question of the financials. As is, the PSR is making it likely that a couple of important players will need to be sold. Granted, the powers-that-be could find another method to work around the rules. Even only selling current players who are out on loan could potentially work.

Knowing what is available to the public now, most likely, a couple of current contributors who are key to Villa's success will have to be moved who otherwise wouldn't be. In regard to De Bruyne, unless he's willing to take a significant pay cut, it could be a tenuous contract for AVFC to take on.

Not needing to pay City a transfer fee would potentially help ease that issue, though. It could explain why the potential move is gaining as much traction as it is. Still, money will be tight, and adding someone who earns a lot each week flies in the face of what would potentially help Villa to get out of the current PSR situation. Although, as mentioned, there are ways that others have gotten around it, sometimes the enforcement comes down more strictly in what is something of a current unknown justice system for rulebreakers.

Tactically, adding KDB is an instant, obvious move to make

Moving that aspect aside, it seems like an ideal fit for De Bruyne if the money can work itself out. He brings a lot of experience, and at this point, he'll only want to push for trophies. Of course he'll want to play. His not being part of future starting XIs won't impact him as much, as he'd probably be more than happy to give his legs the day off at this stage of his career.

Unfortunately for him, injuries have been a large part of his career. So if that element were to creep back up again, Villa has the squad to be able to handle losing KDB for months if needed until he's able to regain his health.

De Bruyne has earned the respect of many. Those who despise him were likely on the other end of some of his magical moments. The business side of the sport is very real. If the club can figure that out, adding him to Aston Villa will be a welcome move.