‘I heard’: Sky journalist says he’s now been told something interesting about Kevin De Bruyne and Newcastle

The football world is bracing for one of the most significant free-agent sagas in recent memory as Kevin De Bruyne prepares to play what appears to be his final match for Manchester City this weekend.

The Belgian maestro, whose contract expires this summer, will become the most coveted player on the market—and whispers are already circulating about potential destinations. Among the surprising names in the mix? Newcastle United.

While elite clubs across Europe will undoubtedly queue up for De Bruyne’s signature, an intriguing suggestion has emerged from an unexpected source.

Speaking on the Sky Sports Transfer Talk Podcast, journalist Pete Graves revealed that he’d heard murmurs about Newcastle’s potential interest in the 32-year-old playmaker.

“I’m sure many of the top-six clubs would be interested—Liverpool have been linked, for example,” Graves noted. “But someone actually mentioned Newcastle to me in Bilbao this week. There are a lot of whispers floating around about De Bruyne, and it’ll be fascinating to see where he lands.”

The idea of De Bruyne swapping the Etihad for St James’ Park might seem far-fetched, but Eddie Howe’s admiration for the midfielder is no secret.

After City’s comeback victory over Newcastle earlier this season—a game in which De Bruyne came off the bench to score and assist—Howe was effusive in his praise.

“Their quality told in the end,” the Newcastle boss admitted. “The introduction of De Bruyne changed everything. He’s a world-class player—he scored one, created another, and made the difference.”

Financially, Newcastle’s Saudi-backed ownership certainly has the resources to meet De Bruyne’s wage demands. While the club must remain mindful of Financial Fair Play regulations, a free transfer for a player of his caliber would represent a rare opportunity to secure elite talent without a transfer fee.

Sportingly, the project at Newcastle is still evolving, but De Bruyne’s leadership and creativity could accelerate their progress.

With Champions League football potentially back on the table next season, the Magpies could offer him a fresh challenge in a league he already knows inside out.

The Competition Will Be Fierce

Of course, Newcastle won’t be the only club vying for De Bruyne’s signature. Saudi Arabia’s Pro League will likely table a lucrative offer, while MLS sides could also tempt him with a stateside adventure.

Closer to home, Liverpool, Arsenal, and European giants like PSG and Bayern Munich may all explore the possibility of adding him to their squads.

At this stage, the Newcastle link remains speculative. However, in modern football, ambitious moves that once seemed improbable have become reality.

If the Magpies can sell De Bruyne on their vision—and back it up with the right project—this could be the summer’s most stunning transfer coup.

For now, all eyes are on De Bruyne’s final City appearance. Where he goes next will dominate headlines for weeks to come. And while Newcastle might be outsiders in this race, they’ve shown before that they’re not afraid to dream big.