Kevin De Bruyne now has ‘clouded relationship’ with Manchester City after contract decision | OneFootball

Manchester City and Kevin De Bruyne have a ‘clouded relationship’ from the side of the midfielder following the decision taken on his future, according to reports in Belgium.

The 33-year-old announced earlier this month that after the best part of a decade at the Etihad Stadium, his contract with the reigning Premier League champions would reach its natural conclusion at the end of the season.

That comes after a decision had been made by Manchester City not to renew De Bruyne’s terms any further, opting to depart ways and go in search of a natural successor to one of the club’s all-time greatest ever players.

There had been a feeling in some quarters that Kevin De Bruyne would be intent on remaining at the Etihad Stadium into a 10th season, particularly given his desire to compete with Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and City being the best place to maintain fitness.

However, it appears as though there was a huge feeling of disappointment when that feeling was not shared by decision makers within the Etihad Stadium, leaving De Bruyne with a sour taste in his mouth when it comes to his relation with officials.

That is according to a new report from Belgian outlet De Standaard, who claim that Kevin De Bruyne initially expected an extended stay at the Etihad Stadium, but now has a ‘clouded relationship’ with Manchester City following the decision taken over his future.

It is suggested that the conclusion not to extend De Bruyne’s contract came after City invested heavily during the January transfer window, meaning the financial margins at the club narrowed as a result and De Bruyne was no longer financially viable to retain.

However, while a move to the United States or Saudi Arabia has been mooted, the report – translated and relayed by Sport Witness – claims that the 33-year-old is ‘not ready for the desert yet’, backing up the belief that a European switch could still be on the cards.

Kevin De Bruyne himself kept the door open to a prolonged stay in European football when he faced the media for the first time after his announcement revealing his pending departure from Manchester City.

When asked by Norwegian television, after a stellar performance from the veteran in City’s dramatic 5-2 win over Crystal Palace, whether he would consider staying in English football, such a possibility was kept open.

“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know. It could be, it could be not,” he said. “It’s very hard because the decision of leaving has not been that long [ago] so nothing can be decided in a week. And also in the football world, I don’t think everything comes in a week.”

De Bruyne continued, “It goes very slowly. I’ve not even seen my family since the announcement. So I need to speak [with them] and I need to see whatever team wants me, so I don’t know, I have no idea, so we’ll see.”

For now, the player’s full focus will likely be on achieving Manchester City’s remaining goals for the campaign, having also recently admitted his firm desire to get the club into next season’s UEFA Champions League and win the FA Cup next month.