Man City are postponing contract negotiations with Kevin De Bruyne until he recovers from injury as the star approaches the final year of his contract

MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly postponed contract negotiations with Kevin De Bruyne.

This is despite the Belgian star approaching the final year of his Etihad contract.

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The 32-year-old playmaker is an important cog in Pep Guardiola’s team and was instrumental in the team winning the treble last season.

But just 22 minutes into the opening Premier League game at Burnley on August 11, he limped off the pitch with a torn hamstring.

And that Daily Star State that the champions have put negotiations with the player’s father about extending his Etihad stay on hold.

That’s because they want to wait until De Bruyne is back in action after his long layoff.

Following the injury, he underwent surgery and is not expected to return to action until the new year.

And at the end of the season, the £375,000-a-week star has just 12 months left on his current contract, which expires in June 2025.

Coach Pep Guardiola is keen to retain the influential star, who he handed over the captain’s armband this summer following the departure of Ilkay Gündogan.

The Spaniard is understood to be happy with City offering De Bruyne a further two-year contract.

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Should the ex-Chelsea player accept the terms, he would be tied to the Etihad until his 36th birthday.

However, if they fail to agree a new contract, interest will certainly be high – otherwise City risk losing him on a free transfer at the end of next season.

De Bruyne joined the club from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then club record £55m.

In his 358 appearances he scored 96 goals, 153 goals and 13 major trophies – including five Premier League and Champions League titles.

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