Kevin De Bruyne informs Pep Guardiola and Manchester City of Club World Cup decision | OneFootball

Kevin De Bruyne has informed Manchester City bosses of his reluctance to feature at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States stemming from concerns over his fitness, as per a new report.

The 33-year-old is set to bid farewell to the 2023 treble winners in the coming months to mark a decorated, 10-year spell at the Etihad Stadium that saw De Bruyne win 18 major trophies in Manchester City colours.

De Bruyne has been the fulcrum of the Manchester City attack since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016 and after club officials decided against renewing the Belgium international’s contract the playmaker will be a free agent once his existing deal expires on June 30.

It remains to be seen where De Bruyne will choose to go as he ponders upon his next step and with a firm belief that he can still play at the highest level, the six-time Premier League winner will keep his family in mind before making a firm decision on his future.

Having failed to rule out staying on in England and joining another Premier League club, the door is wide open for De Bruyne to have his pick of club although realistic destinations would be few and far between given the midfielder’s current wages at Manchester City.

Aston Villa are understood to have held internal talks over a formal approach for De Bruyne, who has long-standing interest from the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League, though the Belgian is believed to prefer the United States as a place to settle his family down over Saudi Arabia.

Since De Bruyne took to his social media channels and caught the club by surprise by announcing his departure of his own accord after being told he has no future at Manchester City, there have been doubts as to when exactly will the midfielder depart from the club.

City will contest in the new-look, 32-club FIFA Club World Cup in the United States between June and July – before they recoup for pre-season and begin preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.

As reported by Jeremy Cross writing for the Daily Express, De Bruyne has fears over picking up an injury should he feature for Manchester City at the Club World Cup, which could needlessly derail his upcoming move away from the Etihad Stadium.

As a result, the Belgian has informed Guardiola and officials at the club that he does not intend to represent City at the Club World Cup and wishes to part ways as soon as Manchester City finish their Premier League and FA Cup campaigns.

De Bruyne is keen to take some time off with his family – who were away on holiday when the midfielder was told he was not being given a new contract by City – to assess offers and make a well-thought decision on the next chapter of his life and career.