TUBIZE, BELGIUM - MARCH 17 : De Bruyne Kevin forward of Belgium arrives at the training grounds of the Royal Belgian Football Association ahead of the UEFA Nations League play-offs matches against Ukraine on March 17, 2025 in Tubize, Belgium, 17/03/2025 ( Photo by Jan De Meuleneir / Photonews via Getty Images)
Kevin De Bruyne's Manchester City future is still unresolved with no word yet on any contract talks.
Bernardo Silva wants to stay at Manchester City and Stefan Ortega has left the door open to a possible exit this summer.
As Pep Guardiola takes some much-needed time away from the relentless season that has seen him deal with more problems than the previous four seasons put together, planning will continue behind the scenes over their summer transfer dealings.
There will be inevitable exits after the season is over, potentially including some big names. The idea of an 'ageing squad' has been thrown around and acknowledged to an extent by Guardiola, who has also conceded that City players who can't stay fit will be part of 'difficult' conversations with the club over their futures.
There is always a degree of an overhaul at City each year, whether it is club legends coming to the end of their careers, fringe players wanting more playing time, or simply first-teamers with the chance of a new challenge somewhere else.
Last summer it was Julian Alvarez who left and Ederson who thought seriously about a move to Saudi Arabia. The year before, Ilkay Gundogan left after failing to agree a new contract while Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte were also moved on for various reasons.
This coming summer feels like it will be another one of change.
City will have an idea of where their players stand in private, but may get a clearer idea of what certain players are thinking if they speak to the media this week away from the club. With most players on international duty, players tend to speak a little more clearly, with national team press conferences and interviews offering an opportunity to talk about a range of issues.
Bernardo's indication that he doesn't want his City spell to end just yet was held back until the break, while Ortega spoke to German media in the first days of his latest call-up. Take Kevin De Bruyne, for example, who has remained completely calm over his City future when asked this season but stayed away from the microphones lately.
A return for Belgium may offer an update on his plans past the summer, and City will be listening carefully to anything their players have to say. None of it should come as a surprise, yet it will be helpful to hear who wants to stay on board and who leaves the door open.
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