MLS chief eyes Kevin de Bruyne

The league's newest team has already made a signing statement, but general manager Tyler Heaps confirmed that adding another star is a “huge priority.”

Could Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne be the next global superstar to make the move to MLS?

The Belgian's current $429,000-a-week deal expires next summer and with injuries becoming more common in recent years, City could decide to part ways. There would be no shortage of candidates for the two-time Premier League Player of the Season, but MLS's newest club have emerged as real contenders for his signature.

San Diego FC will make its MLS debut in the 2025 season and are reportedly working on a deal to bring De Bruyne to California. General manager Tyler Heaps was asked about the prospect of signing the 33-year-old in a recent interview with MLSsoccer.com.

“I enjoy watching him play football,” Heaps said with a smile. “I think a lot of people enjoy watching him play football, so I'll leave it at that.”

When asked about the profile of the player the team is targeting, Heaps' response suggested De Bruyne is a possibility.

“We probably see him as an attacking player, again, to complement Hirving [Lozano]” added Heaps. “So we look at whether it is right, or whether it is [a No.] 8, [No.] 10. Someone who can influence the game.”

San Diego is looking beyond big targets

San Diego's first major deal was the signing of Mexican forward Hirving Lozano from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Still just 29 years old, Lozano could have chosen to stay in Europe but was lured to MLS by the ambitious San Diego project.

Manchester United academy graduate Paddy McNair joins from Championship side West Bromwich Albion. Mikey Varas, who served as USMNT interim head coach just two months ago, has been tapped to lead the team. Nevertheless, Heaps is keen to point out that San Diego is also looking to take advantage of the talent available in the Expansion Draft.

“Obviously the other DP is a big priority of ours at the moment, but that also applies to the Expansion Draft as we think there will be some really quality players available,” he explained.

“We think this will be the deepest Expansion Draft ever, not only in terms of numbers, but there are now 29 teams that are clearly up for grabs. This is the first Expansion Draft with the full U22 and DP lineup of the squad.”

Although they are still months away from playing their first competitive match, the San Diego project has created a buzz around MLS. The ownership group paid a record $500 million expansion fee to bring the team to San Diego and they want to make a splash in the league.