De Bruyne reveals City contract talks have not yet resumed

Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that talks over a possible extension to his Manchester City contract 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 has been halted by injury and the Belgian said last month that he had put contract talks on hold while he focussed on recovery during a two-month spell on the sidelines.

De Bruyne’s current deal at the Etihad runs until next summer and he will be allowed to enter into conversations with clubs from outside England from 1 January.

Pinpoint precision from @KevinDeBruyne 👌 pic.twitter.com/FZNBnZDwLv

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024

Following City’s much-needed Premier League victory over Leicester City on Sunday – only their second win 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 be of concern to 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 on a free from Liverpool in the summer, unless deals can be agreed.

But despite the off the field rumours, Arne Slot’s side have been scintillating on it. They have lost just once this season in all competitions and sit top of the Premier League going into the New Year.

Back to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/HWRTJ92dBQ

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2024

City, meanwhile, have endured contrasting fortunes this season. And De Bruyne admits the team’s poor run of results has taken its toll on both the playing squad and manager Pep Guardiola.

“I think obviously he was a bit more down than usual, but I don’t think it was a lot of difference,” De Bruyne said.

“You can’t change yourself after having a bad moment. We’ve 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 other people are also good and they are maybe in a better moment.

“You have to do your job, that’s what we’re trying, and hopefully it gets better.”

City are next in action on 4 January when they host West Ham, who will be looking to bounce back after a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday.