Kevin De Bruyne ready to accept major salary cut and extend Manchester City contract to fulfil World Cup ambition | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne’s desire to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could see the Manchester City talisman accept a salary cut and extend his stay at the Etihad, according to reports.

De Bruyne turns 34 in June and is out of contract in the summer, with the Belgium international believed to be keen on finishing what has been an injury-riddled season on a high by proving his fitness before sitting down with City and making a decision on his future.

Pep Guardiola has maintained that it is between De Bruyne and the club to sort out and whilst the midfielder has dropped in form and fitness from his prime years that made him the fulcrum of the Etihad side, the six-time Premier League winner still has plenty to offer.

Alongside Erling Haaland, who signed a sensational 10-year deal and committed his long-term future to City earlier this season, Kevin De Bruyne is one of City’s highest earners and earns a widely reported figure of £375,000-per-week before bonuses in his current contract.

Manchester City are expected to ship out a large portion of their ageing, old guard and recruit fresh blood in the summer, with Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Ederson and Jack Grealish among those who could leave the club at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola confirmed prior to Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday that Ilkay Gundogan is close to triggering a one-year extension clause in his contract that will keep him at the club into the 2025/26 season.

There has been long-standing interest from the Saudi Pro League in Kevin De Bruyne, who is understood to prefer the USA as a new destination for him and his family should he call time on his illustrious, trophy-laden Manchester City career.

However, a new report from Simon Mullock for the Mirror states that the Belgian is willing to accept a significant wage-cut to extend his stay at Manchester City for another 12 months following the completion of his existing deal.

City are ready to keep De Bruyne at the club, with Pep Guardiola aware that his midfield star has fuel left in the tank, though the four-in-a-row Premier League champions will look to tie the midfielder down on a wage in the region of £150,000-per-week.

De Bruyne has lucrative offers from the MLS and Saudi but his desire to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Belgium is at the forefront of his thinking around staying on at the Etihad Stadium for another season.

Pep Guardiola continues to rate De Bruyne and even though the City manager is managing the 33-year-old’s minutes effectively to get the best out of him, the Catalan is keen for the Belgian to stay and guide the club’s incoming signings into a new era at the club.

It is unlikely the dust settles around a mirage of speculation on De Bruyne’s future but should the Belgian continue to impress when called upon and keep himself fit, it is likely all parties could shake hands and agree upon a compromise to keep him in sky blue for an 11th year.