Inter Miami has decided not to pursue talks with Kevin De Bruyne, the esteemed Manchester City midfielder, thereby enhancing Chicago Fire's prospects of securing his signature should he choose to transition to Major League Soccer (MLS). Initially, Inter Miami had included the 33-year-old on their 'discovery list', granting them exclusive negotiation rights within the United States. However, they chose not to exercise this option by the mid-July deadline, as confirmed by sources to BBC Sport.

This development means De Bruyne will not join forces with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami. Instead, Chicago Fire now holds the primary opportunity to engage with the Belgian international. De Bruyne, who announced his departure from Manchester City in April, expressed surprise over not receiving a new contract offer from the club. During his tenure at Etihad Stadium, he has amassed 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League.

This shift in negotiation dynamics highlights the competitive nature of MLS team strategies and player acquisitions, with Chicago Fire potentially gaining a significant asset in their squad lineup.