Manchester City face ‘serious difficulties’ ahead of Kevin De Bruyne showdown transfer talks | OneFootball

Officials at the Etihad Stadium face ‘serious difficulties’ ahead of their showdown talks with Kevin De Bruyne over his Manchester City future scheduled for next month.

It is widely understood that the Premier League champions will look to understand the midfielder’s future plans and ambitions for the twilight years of his top-level professional playing career in early August.

Kevin De Bruyne is due to return to the City Football Academy on August 5 alongside a number of other first-team stars as Manchester City intensify their training and preparations for the FA Community Shield against Manchester United.

However, with Saudi Arabia having made firm approaches to Kevin De Bruyne and the people around him, the player is now firmly aware of what he could receive financially should he bring an end to his illustrious playing career in European football.

And it is that awareness that one report suggests could cause complications for those within the Etihad Stadium looking to reach an agreement over an extended stay in Sky Blue for De Bruyne when they speak next month.

According to the information of GIVEMESPORT, Manchester City are facing the possibility of ‘serious difficulties’ convincing Kevin De Bruyne to sign a new deal at the Etihad with the player unlikely to entertain accepting a pay cut after discovering the wages at Al-Ittihad.

It is reported that City are happy to extend Kevin De Bruyne’s contract, but it is not normal practice to offer a 33-year-old the same terms as one of the club’s highest earners, especially when they are planning to carefully manage his game time during the forthcoming campaign.

In the meantime, Manchester City will no doubt be seeking contingency plans to prepare themselves for the possibility of Kevin De Bruyne bringing an end to a stay in the coming transfer windows.

The Premier League champions have been strongly linked with a move for RB Leipzig and Spain playmaker Dani Olmo. However, it is believed that interest in the player and advanced talks are wide of the mark.

Other reports have pointed towards Crystal Palace and England international Eberechi Eze as a potential long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City, with the club considering an approach for the playmaker this summer in a £60 million deal.