Update provided on Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne contract intentions amid latest injury concern | OneFootball

A new report has detailed Manchester City’s stance surrounding Kevin De Bruyne and potential contractual discussions following his latest injury blow.

The Belgian playmaker is currently recovering from a new fitness concern sustained in Manchester City’s opening UEFA Champions League game this season, withdrawn at the half-time interval of a 0-0 draw against Inter Milan.

Whilst the problem was deemed to be not major and a return to action likely to happen in the near future, De Bruyne’s absence has been extended somewhat and fans may not see him back in action until after the upcoming international break.

Having not train on the pitch with his Manchester City teammates this week prior to their trip to Bratislava for European action, De Bruyne remained inside the City Football Academy centre to resume his recovery process with medical staff.

But some have been left wondering whether the latest fitness issues may have an impact on Manchester City’s stance regarding prolonging their working relationship, with De Bruyne into the final year of his Etihad Stadium agreement.

According to the information of Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Kevin De Bruyne’s new injury will have no bearing on his City contract negotiations, with the Premier League champions having previously put talks on hold due to the 33-year-old’s mixed fitness record.

With Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola having previously pointed towards a return date of in and around the upcoming international break, the report says De Bruyne’s ongoing injury is not “serious” and will not affect the club’s willingness to tie him down to a new contract.

Meanwhile, Manchester City will likely remain interested in potential successors to De Bruyne’s place in the first-team set-up, with a number of possible targets emerging from within the German game.

Multiple reports have linked the Premier League champions with interest in Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz among others, whilst RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons is also claimed to be a player of interest.

There is a high chance that all three players could command transfer fees north of £100 million should any club make a move next summer, however it is expected that City will need to take no shortcuts when it comes to reinforcing a role of De Bruyne’s magnitude.