Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has been one of the finest midfielders ever to grace the game.
The Belgian is embarking on his 10th season at the Etihad Stadium, and there is potential that it could be his final one.
De Bruyne‘s contract expires next summer and predictably, there has been a lot of speculation about his future this summer. De Bruyne has been a target for Saudi Pro League clubs, and the league are very hopeful of luring him.
It does not look as though they’ll be successful this summer.
But the maestro could make the move next year after his current deal expires.
But City do intend to open discussions with De Bruyne over an extension – and there is one thing the player will have to accept if he is going to stick around.
Kevin De Bruyne must take pay-cut on basic salary and accept ‘bonus-loaded’ deal to stay at Man City
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De Bruyne is 33 now and coming to the end of his playing career.
The star has been one of the greatest players the Premier League has ever seen, and many City fans will undoubtedly be broken when he does leave.
There is a chance that could happen as soon as next year.
But City are going to see if he will be open to extending. The club, though, will not be willing to keep on paying him the same as they are now.
According to the Mirror, De Bruyne would need to take a pay-cut to his basic wage if he is to extend his contract at the Etihad.
He would also need to accept a ‘bonus-loaded deal from the club.
It remains to be seen if De Bruyne – who returned to training at the start of this week – would be open to that. At the moment, he is thought to be the best-paid player in the Premier League on around £400,000 per week.
De Bruyne likely to move on in 2025
It will be really interesting to see how this season pans out for De Bruyne.
The player may feel as though moving on after 10 years would be the right time. City have a long-term replacement for him in the middle with Phil Foden, and the club could yet land another player in the transfer market.
De Bruyne knows that he could probably command a much bigger salary elsewhere than if he chose to stay at City.
He was reported earlier this summer to have been left impressed by the potential earnings at Al-Ittihad, and he might want a slice of the cake.
Ultimately, De Bruyne – who has been described as ‘phenomenal’ by Thierry Henry – has nothing left to prove in English football – and he may not want to risk sticking around for too long so that he becomes a shadow of his former self.
