‘Could be my last year’ - Kevin De Bruyne gives update on his Man City future as contract talks stall

Kevin De Bruyne has admitted he does not know what the future has in store for him, opening the door to a possible Manchester City exit next summer.

The Belgian, who was heavily linked with a move away from the club earlier this year, is approaching the end of contract which expires in July. It means he could walk away for free at the end of the season, a decade after joining City from Wolfsburg.

It’s been a frustrating campaign for De Bruyne, who missed just under two months with a hip injury and last started a match on 18 September. Speaking on Monday, ahead of the Champions League clash against Feyenoord, the 33-year-old claimed the issue has stalled talks on a possible extension, but added he is relaxed about the situation.

“I honestly don’t know,” De Bruyne replied, when asked about his future plans. “Obviously when I started the season I knew things would happen and talks would happen.

“Then unfortunately I had that thing [injury] against Brentford and put everything to the side. I was hoping to be out for a couple of days and it ended up being eight or nine weeks. For the moment I would rather get better and see how I am. The rest will come.

“I’m not too obsessed with things right now. I know people will ask me questions but there’s not a lot I can say; there have not been a lot of talks.

“Talks will come,” he added. “If no talks come then it will be my last year. I am trying to be honest. People will write about it, I can’t affect that, I just want to play good football and we will see what the future holds. There is no rush also. I don’t feel uncomfortable in my situation.”

Speaking earlier, Pep Guardiola admitted he is also unsure whether De Bruyne will still be a City player next season.

“I don't know. Kevin I'm pretty sure will be honest. He wants to finish here, or this season, or the next one, being at his best. I think he will not be here when he believes that he doesn't feel he can be the Kevin he can produce and help the team like he has done in the last decade. Like David Silva was, like many cases, he will decide the best for him, for the team.”

While there’s uncertainty surrounding De Bruyne’s future, Guardiola’s new contract last week put to bed any speculation on his future plans. The Catalan signed a two-year extension, which expires in 2027.

De Bruyne is the only player at City who predates Guardiola’s arrival and, given how well he knows the manager, said his new contract only increases the chances of him remaining at the club beyond the summer.

“It could help because I know what the future holds. I don’t have to speak to Pep about what is happening in the future,” De Bruyne explained. “If it is a new coach, you obviously need to have a conversation with these people because you don’t what they want with you.

“Maybe I would even have a conversation about my future with Pep because I don't know what he thinks. Maybe he tells me ‘Kevin’ thank you, it’s time to leave’. There is more of an understanding of how he works with the team and the players. That’s nothing new to me.”

City face Feyenoord on Tuesday hoping to end their losing streak of five games, a sequence that was extended by the 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.