Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that talks over a possible contract extension at Manchester City have not yet resumed, meaning the midfielder could discuss a move to a foreign club in the summer in January.
The 33-year-old’s season was cut short due to injury and the Belgian said last month that he had put contract negotiations on hold while he focused on recovery during a two-month break.
De Bruyne’s current contract at the Etihad runs until next summer and he is eligible to begin talks with clubs outside England from January 1.
Pinpoint precision from @KevinDeBruyne 👌 pic.twitter.com/FZNBnZDwLv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
After City’s much-needed Premier League win over Leicester City on Sunday – only their second win in 14 games in all competitions – he said there had been no news on his future.
“NO. Nothing yet,” he told The Independent.
While the uncertainty over De Bruyne’s future will worry City fans, he is not the only Premier League star whose contract expires in June.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are expected to leave Liverpool on free transfers in the summer unless agreements can be reached.
But despite the rumors off the pitch, Arne Slot’s team shines. They have lost just once in all competitions this season and sit top of the Premier League at the start of the new year.
Back to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/HWRTJ92dBQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
City, on the other hand, experienced different fortunes this season. And De Bruyne admits the team’s poor results have taken their toll on both the playing squad and coach Pep Guardiola.
“I think he was obviously a little more depressed than usual, but I don’t think it made a big difference,” De Bruyne said.
“You can’t change after a bad moment. We had so many good moments, we know how to win games. But at the moment we haven’t won, it happens and you have to accept that other people are also good and maybe they are in a better moment.
“You have to do your job, that’s what we’re trying to do and hopefully it’ll get better.”
City are next in action on January 4 when they host West Ham, who will be looking to bounce back from a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
