IS Kevin de Bruyne about to become the biggest shock transfer in international football history?

He could, if you believe the proposal on the table from the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

5 Kevin de Bruyne has been in superb form for Manchester City this season and has helped fire them to the top of the Premier League table Credit: Getty Images

The Belgian midfielder is fast emerging as one of the best middle men on the planet, especially after his stunning winner for Manchester City at Chelsea in their pre-international break clash.

And now it seems his fleet-footed playmaking ability has been recognised by the Dutch.

Holland look set to miss out on the World Cup, after reaching the semi-finals last time out.

The fortunes of the Dutch team have in fact wobbled in recent years, after decades enjoying their status as one of the world's best teams.

5 Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has suggested exchanging the province of Limburg so Kevin de Bruyne can play for Holland Credit: Rex Features

5 The famous city of Maastricht is part of the southern Dutch province of Limburg Credit: Getty Images

5 Kevin de Bruyne celebrated scoring a stunning winner against Chelsea for Manchester City before the international break Credit: Rex Features

5 Holland face a near impossible task of qualifying for next summer's World Cup Credit: Rex Features

And by contrast, Belgium have become one of the best teams in the world, qualifying easily from their group ahead of Greece and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Dutch PM Mark Rutter joked: "Of course, this is a great sacrifice for Dutch society.

"They are such nice people and we will certainly miss that. But yes, sometimes you have to make difficult choices.

"The Dutch must be proud of their country. We should not only show economic advances but in all areas that we belong on the world stage.

"What we miss as a country is trust, progress and creativity of the game in the opponent's half.

"With this Kevin can help!"