Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that talks over a possible extension of his contract with Manchester City have not yet resumed, meaning the midfielder will be able to discuss a summer move to a foreign club in January.
The 33-year-old’s season was cut short by injury and the Belgian said last month he had suspended contract negotiations while he focused on his recovery during a two-month absence.
De Bruyne’s current contract at the Etihad runs until next summer and he will be allowed to initiate conversations with clubs outside England from January 1.
Specify the precision of @KevinDeBruyne 👌 pic.twitter.com/FZNBnZDwLv
-Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
After City’s well-deserved Premier League victory over Leicester City on Sunday – only their second victory in 14 games in all competitions – he said there had been no update on his future.
“No. Nothing yet,” he told The Independent.
While uncertainty over De Bruyne’s future will concern 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 all set to leave Liverpool for free this summer unless deals can be agreed.
But despite the rumors off the field, Arne Slot’s men shine. 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 enjoyed mixed fortunes this season. And De Bruyne admits the team’s poor results have taken a toll on both the playing squad and manager 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 yourself after going through a bad moment. We had so many good moments, we know how to win matches. 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 I hope it gets better.”
City are next in action on January 4 when they host West Ham, who will look to bounce back from a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
