Dreamt of Liverpool: De Bruyne's Unrealized Ambition, Van Dijk's Unfulfilled Promise
Going After Greatness: The Potential Transfer Saga of De Bruyne to Liverpool
Rumors swirled on a chilly Wednesday night that Liverpool was eyeing a shocking acquisition – the imminent departure of Manchester City's star Kevin De Bruyne. While talkSPORT reported these speculations were off the mark, there was a time when the thought of De Bruyne donning the Red jersey became a dream shared by both players.
Despite their teams' relentless competition for Premier League titles, De Bruyne and Liverpool's captain, the indomitable Virgil van Dijk, have forged an unlikely friendship off the pitch. Growing up, De Bruyne confesses he was a die-hard Liverpool fan, sharing their adoration for Michael Owen, and Van Dijk admits he longed to play alongside De Bruyne.
In an 11-year-old De Bruyne's audacious admission, he declared: "Liverpool is my favorite club, and Michael Owen, my favorite player. I aspire to play there someday."
Fast forward to 2019, De Bruyne let slip that he and Van Dijk 'see each other a lot', their children attending the same school. They bonded over their shared passion for electronic music, partying together in Ibiza and meeting up with renowned DJ Calvin Harris on the Balearic Island.
Speaking with Gary Neville on The Overlap in the same year, Van Dijk named De Bruyne as the one rival player he'd choose to have on his team. Coincidentally, the duo was spotted holidaying alongside Nathan Ake, Van Dijk's Dutch teammate, and De Bruyne's club colleague.
A year later, De Bruyne returned the sentiment, expressing his desire to play alongside Van Dijk, whom he considers a complete player. Both players were slated to become free agents this summer, putting the possibility of a reunion in motion.
However, Van Dijk signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool, worth up to £400,000, while Manchester City opted to let De Bruyne leave the Etihad at the end of his ten-year tenure. The Belgian midfield maestro, arguably one of Man City's finest players, boasts six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and a Champions League amongst his trophy haul.
De Bruyne could potentially add an FA Cup to his collection if Manchester City triumphs against Crystal Palace later this month. To date, he has scored 108 goals in 418 appearances and provided 177 assists. De Bruyne has yet to rule out a move to another Premier League club, leaving the door open for Liverpool to secure the coveted midfielder.
Nevertheless, talkSPORT understands it's unlikely De Bruyne will be gracing Anfield anytime soon, with other suitors vying for his services and personal commitments to consider. Despite the hurdles, the prospect of De Bruyne and Van Dijk uniting in red remains an intriguing possibility that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
- The spectacle of European-leagues, particularly the Premier League and Champions League, often serves as a platform for entertainment, as demonstrated by the potential transfer saga of Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City to Liverpool.
- De Bruyne's affinity for Liverpool, evident since he was an 11-year-old, echoes his admiration for the Premier League, further highlighting his passion for football.
- Apart from their competitive rivalry in the Premier League, De Bruyne and Liverpool's captain, Virgil van Dijk, share a unique bond, extending to their combined interest in MMA and electronic music.
- Despite De Bruyne's seemingly imminent departure from Manchester City and his interest in transferring to Liverpool, van Dijk signed a contract extension, potentially leaving the dream of the two squad mates reuniting in red unfulfilled.
- However, the transfer market is ever-evolving, and the enticing possibility of De Bruyne playing Premier League football remains a topic of fascination for fans across the globe, offering another chapter to the compelling narrative that is football.
