Manchester City could allow star midfielder to leave for free in shock contractual u-turn

Kevin De Bruyne could be allowed to leave Manchester City for free in 2025 with the club not currently planning to open contract talks with the midfielder.

The 32-year-old, who is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery for a serious hamstring injury, is expected to miss a significant period of the campaign as a result of the latest setback suffered in August.

De Bruyne was also heartbreakingly forced off during the first-half of the UEFA Champions League Final in June, and missed Manchester City’s pre-season tour of east Asia as a result the hamstring problem.

The midfielder is the longest-serving member of the current Manchester City squad, having moved to the Etihad Stadium from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £55 million.

De Bruyne has won 14 trophies at the club, including five Premier League titles, and has scored 96 goals for the Blues across all competitions.

The Belgium international recently became just the fifth player to register 100 Premier League assists, and also shares the record for the most assists in a Premier League campaign with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

De Bruyne played a crucial role in Manchester City’s treble triumph, registering 16 Premier League assists and scoring 10 goals – including a key goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first-leg.

The midfielder is currently contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2025, when Pep Guardiola’s current deal is also set to expire with the club.

Manchester City are reportedly keen to keep the player at the club, however currently there is ‘no urgency’ to discuss a new deal, with some emerging concerns from Etihad chiefs.

Football Insider claim that Manchester City may consider not extending the 32-year-olds current contract if De Bruyne’s injury record continues to worsen, with the Belgian currently earning around £400,000-a-week.

Both De Bruyne and the club are ‘likely’ to enter contract discussions this time next year, Football Insider further report.

Manchester City recently came under criticism from former captain Ilkay Gundogan, who questioned the timing of the club’s decision to enter contract renewal talks, after the German moved to Barcelona on a free transfer.