Kevin De Bruyne sustains Grade Three hamstring tear in major Manchester City blow ahead of new season

Manchester City look set to be without the services of Kevin De Bruyne for the first few games of the 2023/24 campaign, a new report has detailed.

The Belgium international was withdrawn in the first-half of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League final victory over Inter earlier this month, with what was immediately believed to be a muscular problem.

That injury subsequently forced De Bruyne to pull out of international commitments with Belgium in the weeks that followed, before undergoing further testing and scans on the problem that came at the very end of a long season for the midfielder.

Now, in a fresh report covering Kevin De Bruyne’s injury, it has been revealed that Manchester City are likely to be without the 31-year-old for the opening games of the upcoming 2023/2024 campaign – across three different competitions.

According to the information of the Daily Star, scans have now revealed that Kevin De Bruyne suffered a Grade Three hamstring tear during the 1-0 win in the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.

Although it is clarified that Kevin De Bruyne’s problem will not require surgery over the summer, the Manchester City vice-captain will play no part in the traditional curtain-raiser to the campaign, as Pep Guardiola’s players take on Arsenal in the Community Shield.

The report continues by also revealing that De Bruyne is expected to be unavailable for the Premier League opener against Burnley at Turf Moor, however there is optimism with regards to the Super Cup contest.

It is stated that Manchester City’s medical department are optimistic the playmaker will be ready to make a comeback on August 16th for the clash against Europa League experts Sevilla in Athens.

Elsewhere, Manchester City transfer chiefs are expected to confirm their first signing of the summer transfer window in the coming days, having reached total agreements with both the representatives of Mateo Kovacic and Chelsea over a deal for the Croatia international.

The 29-year-old may not be the only recruit in midfield either this summer, with Manchester City continuing to apply pressure on Arsenal’s pursuit of West Ham United captain Declan Rice – who is expected to fetch a transfer fee close to £100 million.

City are also advancing in talks over a deal for Kovacic’s Croatia international teammate Josko Gvardiol, as the Etihad club look to prepare for life without Aymeric Laporte – who is expected to leave in search of improved game-time next season.