“?Kevin de Bruyne is on the top of his game under Pep Guardiola, but “?according to a Belgian journalist, things could have turned out so differently for the Manchester City midfielder.
HLN claim that in 2013 during his first Premier League stint with Chelsea, De Bruyne came close to joining the now-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund with personal terms between the two parties agreed.
However, the move failed to develop after the Stamford Bridge outfit rejected Dortmund’s approach with De Bruyne, 25, reportedly left regretful of his failure to push for the move.
After a torrid time at Chelsea under Guardiola’s foe Jose Mourinho, where the Belgium international was heavily criticised for his attitude towards training and expectation to start for the Blues, De Bruyne sought a move away from west London.
Guardiola: “De Bruyne loves training.” Was privileged to see dozens of KDB sessions during his spell at Genk. A joy. pic.twitter.com/iGcNXJlEho
Having appeared just nine times under Mourinho, De Bruyne was set to ply his trade alongside new Manchester City teammate Ilkay Gundogan at Dortmund.
Klopp had a plan in 2013: a Dortmund midfield with a.o. Gundogan & De Bruyne. The Belgian agreed personal terms. #CFC rejected a move. #MCFC
Chelsea scuppered Jurgen Klopp’s plan by eventually selling their asset to fellow Bundesliga side VFL Wolfsburg for a fee believed to be in the region of £17m, a move De Bruyne did not favour having heard of interest from the enigmatic Klopp.
De Bruyne afterwards regretted not pushing for the Dortmund move. The only time in his career he didn’t follow his gut feeling.
However, having arrived at the Etihad Stadium following a club record £55m move, things appear to have worked out just fine for the midfielder.
The midfielder has been pivotal in Guardiola’s 100% start to life in Manchester, and has been the stand out player so far this season, with his manager suggesting him to be closing in on Lionel Messi’s standing following his latest impressive showing against Bournemouth on Saturday.
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