Kevin De Bruyne contract update as Saudi Arabia eye blockbuster move for Manchester City star

Manchester City supporters have been handed a fresh update on the contractual situation and future of Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad Stadium by one reporter.

The 32-year-old attacking midfielder has been at the heart of Manchester City’s attacking excellence following the turn of the year, proving to be an integral cog in Pep Guardiola’s system following a return from hamstring surgery last summer.

However, amid some concerns over the Belgian’s ability to sustain top-level performances on a consistent basis for much longer, there have been some questions over whether City may entertain offers from Saudi Arabia following interest from the Middle-East.

The ambitious Saudi Pro League venture has been keen on recruiting some of European football’s biggest names, and this summer is likely to follow the trend set 12 months ago, with Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah understood to be primary targets.

There remains every possibility however, that Manchester City officials could look to open up fresh contract talks with De Bruyne in the coming weeks and months, with the legendary playmaker entering the final 12 months of his current agreement at the end of the season.

Writing as part of a wide-ranging question and answer session for the Manchester Evening News, reporter Simon Bajkowski has provided an update on the future of Kevin De Bruyne and the Belgian’s contractual situation at the Etihad Stadium.

“There haven’t been new contract talks with (Kevin) De Bruyne yet and his contract is up in 2025,” Bajkowski explained. “There is interest from the Saudi Pro League in making him a marquee name.”

“De Bruyne has previously said he will see out his City contract and that remains the most likely option, but there is a lot that can happen between now and then. The reality is that it isn’t a major issue at the minute,” the MEN’s chief Manchester City writer continued.

Regardless of Kevin De Bruyne’s contractual situation with Manchester City, Etihad bosses are unlikely to enable a cut-price exit for arguably their greatest ever player, with some in the industry already suggesting any move would require a fee north of £100 million.

Even in the event of a satisfactory offer from Saudi Arabian football bosses, any exit from Manchester would still hinge on De Bruyne being open to a move, with sources close to the player indicating that an MLS switch remains far more likely during the twilight years of his top-level career.

For now, De Bruyne and Manchester City’s focus remains far from the thought of an exit or contractual negotiations, with the ongoing season still retaining hopes of a Treble repeat heading into a crucial run of multi-competition fixtures across March and April.