Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that talks over a possible extension to his contract with Manchester City have not yet resumed, meaning the midfielder will be able to discuss a summer move to an overseas club in January.
The 33-year-old’s season has been cut short by injury and the Belgian said last month that he had put contract talks on hold while he focused on his recovery during the two-month break.
De Bruyne’s current deal at the Etihad runs until next summer and he will be allowed to enter talks with clubs outside England from January 1.
Precise 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 was no news on his future.
“No. Nothing yet,” he told The Independent.
While the uncertainty surrounding 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 will leave Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer, unless a deal is agreed.
But despite rumors off the pitch, Arne Sloto’s side shines on it. They have lost just once this season in all competitions and sit top of the Premier League heading into the New Year.
Back to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/HWRTJ92dBQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
City, meanwhile, have had mixed fortunes this season. And De Bruyne admits the team’s poor results have taken their toll on both the squad and manager Pep Guardiola.
“I think he was obviously a bit more down than usual, but I don’t think it was 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 good too and maybe in a better time.
“You have to do your job, that’s what we’re trying to do and hopefully it will get better.”
City are next in action on January 4 when they host West Ham, who will be looking to bounce back from their 5-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday.
