Kevin De Bruyne on Contract Talks: Manchester City’s Midfield Maestro Keeps Options Open

Manchester City’s iconic midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, has provided an update on his future, which remains uncertain as his current contract edges closer to its expiration in 2025. The Belgian playmaker, integral to Pep Guardiola’s successes at City, revealed that talks regarding an extension have been delayed, largely due to an untimely injury that sidelined him for a significant part of the season.

Injury Interrupts Negotiations

De Bruyne’s contract situation has attracted attention, especially as he is the only player from Pep Guardiola’s initial squad still at the club. However, injury complications have added an air of uncertainty to the discussions. The 33-year-old suffered a muscular issue after playing the full 90 minutes in City’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Brentford in mid-September. Days later, he was forced off during the Champions League clash against Inter Milan, a setback that ruled him out for nearly two months.

Reflecting on the delay in contract talks, De Bruyne admitted, “At the start of the season, I knew talks would happen, but then the thing [injury] happened in Brentford. It was meant to be a couple of days, and then it was eight, nine weeks. I put it all to the side.”

Despite the injury, De Bruyne remains composed about his future. “I’m not too worried,” he reassured reporters. “I’m fine. I’m happy. I just want to play good football again and the future, we’ll see.”

A Legacy at Manchester City

Since joining Manchester City in 2015, De Bruyne has been pivotal in shaping the club’s dominance under Guardiola. With an unparalleled vision and precision passing, he has been lauded as one of the best attacking midfielders of his generation. However, as age and injuries catch up, speculation around his long-term future has intensified.

In April 2021, De Bruyne negotiated his current deal with a unique approach, employing data analysts to provide a statistical valuation of his worth. The contract, reportedly making him the Premier League’s highest-paid player at the time, runs until June 2025.

“If there’s no talks, it will be my last year at the club, but I don’t know,” De Bruyne said, acknowledging the uncertainty. “I had a conversation in the summer, but then I had the injury, so I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to talk about that. I need to be back on the pitch and be myself again. There’s no rush; I don’t feel uncomfortable; I’m not worried.”

The Saudi Pro League’s Temptation

This summer, De Bruyne reportedly caught the attention of Saudi Pro League clubs, which have been aggressively pursuing top European talent. When asked about the possibility of a move, the Belgian was candid. “At my age, you have to be open to everything,” he said. “You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.”

While De Bruyne’s immediate focus remains on rediscovering his form for Manchester City, his openness to exploring new opportunities suggests that nothing is off the table. Should an agreement with City not materialise, the midfielder would be eligible to negotiate a free transfer with foreign clubs as early as 1 January 2025.

Guardiola’s Midfield Puzzle

Pep Guardiola will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on developments. De Bruyne’s influence on City’s style of play is unmatched, and replacing him would be a monumental task. For now, both player and club appear content to bide their time, with De Bruyne emphasising the importance of returning to full fitness before addressing long-term decisions.

With Manchester City aiming for continued dominance domestically and in Europe, the future of their midfield maestro remains a topic of significant interest. Whether De Bruyne extends his stay at the Etihad or seeks a new challenge elsewhere, his next move will shape the narrative of his illustrious career.