Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne might be about to depart, with his employers stalling over handing him a new deal
(Image credit: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne could leave at the end of his current contract, with the Treble winners seriously considering letting him go.
The Belgian last signed a new deal in 2021, using statistical analysis to help make a decision of where his future should play his football. He joined Manchester City in 2015 and has gone on to become one of the best midfielders in world football under Pep Guardiola.
But now 32, there is a question of whether he is declining physically – and now, it appears that City are considering the future, too.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is considering De Bruyne's future (Image credit: Getty Images)
Football Insider have revealed that unless De Bruyne's injury record improves, he won't be granted a new deal when his current one ends in 2025.
The playmaker was injured for a second Champions League final in a row earlier this year when he limped off from the Citizens' crowning showpiece against Inter Milan. De Bruyne spent all summer working on his fitness and played in both the Community Shield and the first fixture of the season against Burnley – but went off injured in the latter.
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Although fairly reliable for City, there have been instances where De Bruyne has been unavailable due to injury – notably in 2018 when he suffered two ligament injuries, before having thigh problems in 2019, ruling him out of the majority of the 2018/19 season.
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Bernardo Silva stepped up to help City retain the title that season – but with De Bruyne currently out of the team, Pep Guardiola's side lie second in the table following their back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Arsenal.
Manchester City have been without De Bruyne all season (Image credit: Getty Images)
De Bruyne will be 34 when his current deal ends and for a player who relies on his physicality and power in attack, he may become surplus to requirements for City.
The Belgian is valued at €70 million by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
