Surprise name revealed as Manchester City’s highest earner following Erling Haaland claims and Saudi Arabia links

Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has been named as the club’s highest earner despite previous claims regarding Erling Haaland’s salary.

The Belgian international remains the longest-serving and most senior member of Manchester City’s current squad, with the 32-year-old having signed from Wolfsburg for a club-record £55 million in August 2015 – prior to Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne, who has made 370 appearances for the Blues to date, has won 14 trophies including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League during his nine season’s at the club.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at Manchester City next summer, with the midfielder’s current deal set to expire alongside manager Guardiola’s at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

De Bruyne has been subject to interest from Saudi Arabia, with a number of big-money offers having been reportedly rejected last summer and set to be tabled again this summer.

The midfielder have been revealed as Manchester City’s current highest-earner, ahead of striker Erling Haaland according to outlet Football Insider, who claim that the Belgian earns more than the Norwegian’s £375,000-a-week base salary.

The Daily Mail claimed in October 2022 that Haaland earned £865,000-a-week at the Etihad Stadium, due to a surge in performance-related bonuses during his maiden campaign at Manchester City.

Haaland, who signed from Borussia Dortmund for £51 million in 2022, scored 52 goals in 53 appearances last season, helping Manchester City to an historic treble.

The Norwegian international has scored 29 goals in 33 appearances so far this season, and has been linked with potential contract extension talks amid renewed interest from Real Madrid.

Speaking ahead of last week’s UEFA Champions League second-leg clash with FC Copenhagen, Haaland addressed the exit rumours for the first time publicly, and didn’t rule out a future move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I’m really happy (at Manchester City), especially with the people I’m surrounded by. The manager, the directors, the board, I am really happy I have to say.

“I say this now, it will probably be a massive headline, tomorrow you never know what the future brings but I am happy.”