MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 15: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola manager of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City have been told just how important keeping Kevin De Bruyne beyond the summer will be - as they have been given a jolt to kick-start contract talks for the Belgian.
De Bruyne is back after a disrupted start to the season with injury, and has intentionally delayed contract talks until he is fully fit. The talismanic Belgian has shown flashes of his brilliance on his return but has been unable to stop City's slide amid a desperate run of one win in 11 games.
Pep Guardiola has repeatedly said he wants De Bruyne, 33, to end his career at the Etihad but with his contract expiring in the summer a decision may have to be made in January over how to proceed.
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When players enter the final six months of their contracts they can speak to clubs about a move. City will be well aware of that risk, and De Bruyne himself told reporters he is calm about his future and in no rush to initiate talks.
This week, one bookmaker priced De Bruyne as odds-on to leave City in January, while another has him at a similar price to move elsewhere on the expiry of his contract. He was subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League in the summer and spoke on record more than once that it would be difficult to turn down an 'absurd' contract offer at this stage in his career.
However, he denied speaking to any other club and insisted he will assess a range of factors including family and the 'project' a club can offer. Speaking last month he suggested that his first priority is to regain full fitness before any talks. A move to the MLS is now priced higher than a lucrative move to Saudi - with the US season starting in February.
City know everything they need to know about De Bruyne and vice versa - and they have been handed a reminder by someone who knows more than most how important he is to their attack.
Speaking exclusively to the Manchester Evening News (via Stake), City's all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero has spotted signs of De Bruyne getting back to his best and said he hopes the two parties can come to an agreement to extend his contract.
“He needed to pick the pace back up after the injury, and he's been achieving it gradually," Aguero said of De Bruyne, speaking before the Manchester derby. "As a matter of fact, he was in the main team last match and he proved that his talent remains as sharp as ever.
"Kevin is a major part of the team in every possible way. His return has reinvigorated the team, you can tell that much. As for what's to come... we'll have to see. But I think Kevin is key to City's game and so I hope he remains part of the club.”