Manchester City 'put Kevin De Bruyne contract talks on hold'

Manchester City have allegedly placed contract discussions with Kevin De Bruyne on hold.

The 32-year-old has entered the final two years of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Man City are said to be planning to hold talks with the Belgian over a new deal, but according to the Daily Star, the discussions have been placed on hold while he recovers from a long-term hamstring issue.

De Bruyne has not been involved for the Citizens since picking up an injury during the team's 2023-24 Premier League opener with Burnley.

The experienced attacker was forced to undergo an operation, and he is not expected to back on the field until the early stages of next year due to the recovery process.

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The report claims that Man City boss head coach De Bruyne is 'desperate' to keep hold of the Belgian, with another two years potentially being added to his current deal.

The attacker is said to be 'content' in Manchester but is aware that he will be the subject of interest from a number of leading clubs next summer, when his current deal will only have 12 months left to run.

De Bruyne is said to be the joint-highest earner at the club alongside Erling Haaland, which will remain the case if he decides to pen an extension with the treble winners.

The former Genk youngster made the move to Man City from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015, and he has represented the club on 358 occasions, scoring 96 goals and registering 153 assists.

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De Bruyne has helped the Citizens win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League during a highly-successful period.

The attacker's absence has not been felt by Man City this season, though, with Guardiola's side winning their opening five matches of the new Premier League season.

The reigning champions have beaten Burnley, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Fulham and West Ham United to top the table with 15 points from an available 15.

Man City will now switch their attention to the Champions League, with the Citizens preparing to welcome Red Star Belgrade to Manchester for their section opener on Tuesday night.