Chicago Fire have entered the race to sign Kevin De Bruyne, talkSPORT understands.
The MLS side are set to rival Inter Miami for the Belgian midfielder’s signature.
De Bruyne will be a free agent this summer after announcing he will leave Manchester City when his contract expires.
His exit at the end of the season will come after a trophy-laden ten-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.
The Fire are the latest club to show an interest in the 33-year-old, although a formal offer has yet to be made.
They would also face a potential stumbling block courtesy of fellow American outfit Inter Miami.
The reigning MLS Supporters’ Shield winners hold the discovery rights to De Bruyne, meaning they have exclusivity when it comes to negotiating with him first.
Chicago could obtain the discovery rights from their eastern conference rivals, but would need to negotiate a compensation fee.
Their interest comes just three days after the two sides drew 0-0 at Soldier Field.
De Bruyne would currently have to take a significant pay cut to join Inter Miami, who are co-owned by David Beckham.
Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets currently occupy the club’s three designated player slots.
Designated players are exempt from the MLS’ salary cap, meaning they can receive higher wages or be signed for larger transfer fees.
Meanwhile, Chicago have space on their list of designated players ahead of the summer.
Inter Miami could soon free up room for De Bruyne, though, as Messi, Alba and Busquets’ current deals all expire at the end of this year.
Chicago, who are managed by former USA boss Gregg Berhalter, joined MLS in 1998.
However, they have not added to their solitary MLS Cup title since lifting the trophy in their debut season.
De Bruyne confirmed his City exit in a social media statement earlier this month.
He is set to depart the club ten years after joining from Wolfsburg in 2015.
The club captain has since made 415 appearances, scoring 107 goals and providing 177 assists.
De Bruyne has also won 18 trophies with City, including their historic treble in 2023.
And while he has been heavily linked with a switch to MLS, De Bruyne hasn’t ruled out joining another Premier League side.
Commenting on whether he could remain playing in England, the former Chelsea man said: “Honestly I don’t know.
“The decision to leave has not been long.
“I have to speak to them and then I will see whichever team wants me. So I don’t know. I have no idea.”
