Pep Guardiola to make final say on Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City future in ‘honest conversation’, reveals club insider | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will have the ‘final say’ on the future of Kevin De Bruyne amid ongoing uncertainty over the Belgian’s future beyond this season.

The 33-year-old returned to Manchester City’s starting line-up on Wednesday night following several weeks out finding match fitness once again following an abdomen and groin issue, in a performance that showcased why he remains one of the very best in the game.

Despite his age, De Bruyne was instrumental in guiding his side back to winning ways after a seven-match run across competitions without a win, with their last victory coming in the Premier League over a month ago.

With an assist and a goal to his name inside the opening half of the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Manchester City were reminded just how good De Bruyne can be in any role he is given by Pep Guardiola at present.

And it will be the Catalan coach who ultimately will be made to make the call on Kevin De Bruyne’s future, with the Belgium international’s existing contract running until the end of the ongoing season.

That is according to Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, who reveals that Guardiola will now have ‘the final say’ on De Bruyne’s future at the Etihad in an ‘honest conversation’ similar to the situation undertaken with Sergio Aguero in 2021.

The report outlines that the Belgium international can either stay at Manchester City and likely accept ‘reduced game time’, or choose not to accept a 12-month contract renewal at the Etihad Stadium and “leave with our love and thanks”.

Kevin De Bruyne will certainly not be short of options should Manchester City decide that the summer of 2025 is the time to let go of the Belgian, with the player attracting long-standing interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Elsewhere and Major League Soccer remains an option for De Bruyne, and the wider belief is that the midfield would prefer a switch to the United States over Saudi Arabia, with his personal life and family at the centre of any decision.

The ideal preference, should it become available, would be to remain a Manchester City player, with De Bruyne, his wife, and their young children very settled in the Cheshire region having grown up in the area and built their lives around the football club.

It remains to be seen what stance Manchester City will take around a new contract for Kevin De Bruyne, although developments should come in the near future, with the player open to speak to potential suitors over a free transfer from January 2025.