MANCHESTER CITY have postponed contract talks with Kevin De Bruyne, according to reports.
That is despite the Belgian star approaching the final year of his Etihad contract.
The playmaker, 32, is a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s side and was instrumental in their Treble-winning season last term.
But he limped off with a hamstring tear just 22 minutes into the curtain-raising Premier League opener at Burnley on August 11.
And the Daily Star state the champions put negotiations with the player’s father on ice over extending his Etihad stay.
That is because they want to wait until De Bruyne is back in action from his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
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He underwent surgery following the injury and is not expected to return to action until the New Year.
And come the end of the season, the £375,000-a-week ace will have just 12 months remaining on his current contract which expires in June 2025.
Manager Pep Guardiola is keen to keep hold of the influential star, who he handed the captain’s armband to this summer following Ilkay Gundogan’s exit.
It is understood the Spaniard has approved of City offering De Bruyne another two-year contract.
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Should the ex-Chelsea man accept the terms, he would be tied down at the Etihad until his 36th birthday.
But failure to agree a new deal would surely see plenty of interest come in – or City risk losing him for free at the end of next season.
De Bruyne joined the club from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club-record £55million.
He has racked up 96 goals, 153 assists goals and 13 major trophies – including five Premier Leagues and the Champions League – from his 358 appearances.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
