Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t know where he will be playing next season. If it were up to the Belgian, he might stay at Manchester City beyond the summer. There is a sense that De Bruyne is being shuffled out of the Etihad Stadium before he is truly ready to leave. City, however, has decided to move him on.

Recent reports have outlined interest in De Bruyne from across English and European soccer. Napoli has reportedly offered the midfielder a contract. There is also interest in De Bruyne from Major League Soccer with the Chicago Fire believed to be leading the pursuit ahead of Inter Miami and others in the United States.

Most compelling, however, is the suggestion that Liverpool is interested in offering De Bruyne a way to stay in the Premier League. “I want to tell him congratulations for your career,” said Mohamed Salah when asked about De Bruyne joining him at Anfield. “He’s done a phenomenal job at City, and he was great for the league. I really wish him the best… and we have a space for him.”

The thought of De Bruyne as part of Liverpool’s midfield unit is a tantalising one. While the 33-year-old’s physical level has dropped, he could still give the Premier League champions a different dimension on the ball. The Reds are lacking a midfield creator in De Bruyne’s mould. There could be a role for him at Anfield.

Liverpool is shaping up for a busy summer transfer window. The club is reportedly close to securing the addition of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen with the Dutch right back a direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold even if he performs the position in a very different way.

Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez is also on Liverpool’s radar with centre back Dean Huijsen of interest to the Anfield club before making the decision to join Real Madrid instead. Florian Wirtz could be the most notable new signing made at Liverpool this summer. Several European clubs are chasing the German international and Liverpool is firmly in contention.

Wirtz’ arrival at Anfield would eliminate any role for De Bruyne, but the latter could be an alternative if the former makes the move to Bayern Munich, Manchester City or Real Madrid instead. The 33-year-old is a Premier League icon and there could be more for him to achieve in English soccer on Merseyside.