Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that talks over a potential contract extension 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 interrupted by injury, and the Belgian player said last month that he had put contract talks on hold while he focused on recovering during a two-month spell out of action.
De Bruyne's current contract at the Etihad continues until next summer, and he will be allowed to enter into talks with clubs outside England as of January 1.
Accuracy of @Kevin De Bruyne đź‘Ś pic.twitter.com/FZNBnZDwLv
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
After City's Premier League win over Leicester City on Sunday, just their second win in 14 matches 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 be a concern for 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 set to leave on a free from Liverpool in the summer, unless deals are agreed.
But despite the off-field rumours, Arne Slott's side have been brilliant in this one. 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 đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/HWRTJ92dBQ
– Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024
Meanwhile, City have suffered mixed fortunes this season. De Bruyne admits that the poor results achieved by the team negatively affected the team and coach Pep Guardiola.
“I think it was a little bit lower than usual, but I don't think there was a big difference,” De Bruyne said.
“You can't change yourself after you've had a bad moment. We've had a lot of good moments, we know how to win games. But at the moment, we're not winning, it happens and you have to accept that others are also good and maybe in a better moment.
“You have to do your job, that's what we're trying to do, and hopefully it will get better.”
City next play on January 4 when they host West Ham, who will be looking to bounce back after being beaten 5-0 by Liverpool on Sunday.
