Kevin De Bruyne’s future at Manchester City remains uncertain, with Pep Guardiola suggesting the decision ultimately lies with the player. As reports swirl about his potential departure, speculation grows over whether the club legend will extend his stay.
City’s 2024/25 season has been far from smooth. After securing four consecutive Premier League titles and an historic treble, they now find themselves 20 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. Early eliminations from both the Champions League and Carabao Cup have left the FA Cup as their only remaining shot at silverware this season. Their next challenge? A fifth-round clash against Championship side Plymouth Argyle, who stunned Liverpool in the previous round.
With City undergoing a major squad overhaul, changes are already underway. The club splashed over £180 million in January on reinforcements, bringing in players like Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez. Meanwhile, veteran right-back Kyle Walker moved to AC Milan, and Guardiola is reportedly prepared to offload up to eight first-team players in the summer.
Bernardo Silva (Photo Credit: Getty)
However, the manager appears keen to retain experienced stars like Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Speaking ahead of the Plymouth fixture, he addressed De Bruyne’s situation but offered no guarantees.
When asked about De Bruyne’s contract, which expires this summer, Guardiola remained non-committal:
“There are players over thirty who will be part of this club’s future – except De Bruyne. That decision is between him and the club.”
Pep Guardiola (Photo Credit: Getty)
Despite this uncertainty, Guardiola emphasized the importance of veteran players, insisting they remain crucial for both the current and next season.
De Bruyne, who took over the captaincy after Walker’s departure, is nearing his tenth anniversary at the club since his move from Wolfsburg in 2015. His legacy at City is undeniable—six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and a Champions League trophy cement his status as one of the greatest players in both City and Premier League history.
Yet injuries have plagued the Belgian playmaker in recent years, raising questions about his long-term impact. While he remains second on the all-time Premier League assist leaderboard with 118, surpassing Ryan Giggs’ record of 162 seems unlikely.
With contract talks on hold and a squad rebuild underway, will De Bruyne remain a City player beyond this season? His next move could shape the future of the club.
