Kevin De Bruyne Has Not Started Contract Negotiations With Manchester City Amid Future Uncertainty

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Kevin De Bruyne has disclosed that he has not yet initiated discussions regarding a new contract with Manchester City. His current contract is set to expire in six months. This situation allows him to negotiate a free transfer with foreign clubs starting in January. At 33, De Bruyne's future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain.

De Bruyne has been linked with potential moves to the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer. His season has been challenging due to injuries, limiting him to only eight Premier League starts. This has resulted in just four goal involvements this season, matching his least productive campaign since 2018-19.

In the current season, De Bruyne averages 0.2 goals and assists per 90 minutes across all competitions. These statistics mark his lowest performance since at least the 2017-18 season. However, his expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes stand at 0.44, surpassing six of his previous nine seasons with City.

Despite these challenges, De Bruyne returned from an abdominal injury to help City secure a 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday. With him in the lineup, City have lost just one of their last 35 league matches, achieving 28 wins and six draws during this period.

Pep Guardiola expressed unwavering confidence in De Bruyne's significance to Manchester City following Sunday's win at King Power Stadium. "I said many times there are no doubts about Kevin when Kevin is fit," Guardiola stated. He acknowledged De Bruyne as one of the most impactful players in City's and Premier League history.

De Bruyne himself remains optimistic about improving his form as the season progresses. "I hope to get better now," he mentioned after Sunday's match. He anticipates that upcoming training sessions will help him regain rhythm after dealing with injuries and a demanding schedule of four games in ten days.

The Belgian midfielder's future at Manchester City remains a topic of speculation among pundits, especially as the team struggles both domestically and in Europe. Some experts suggest that an overhaul of City's ageing squad might be necessary, with De Bruyne being one of several players potentially on their way out.

When asked by The Independent if he had started negotiations for a new contract with City, De Bruyne simply replied: "No. Nothing yet." As he navigates through this uncertain phase of his career, fans and analysts alike are keenly observing what lies ahead for the talented playmaker.