Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne has provided a fresh update on his contract situation at the Etihad Stadium.
The 33-year-old playmaker has earned legendary status on the blue side of Manchester and has been a key cog in a Man City side that has won 18 trophies during his time at the club, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League.
De Bruyne is Man City's longest-serving player within Pep Guardiola's current first-team squad having entered his 10th season at the club.
However, the Belgian now has less than eight months remaining on his contract at the Etihad and speculation over his long-term future is rife amid reported interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and MLS.
De Bruyne revealed in June that he was "open to everything" and may find it difficult to turn down an "incredible" big-money contract offer from the Middle East.
The playmaker then confirmed that he did not hold talks with any other clubs about leaving Man City last summer, and he has since revealed that he has put contract negotiations with the Citizens on hold amid fitness and injury concerns.
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De Bruyne prioritising return to fitness over new contract
Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of Man City's Champions League clash with Feyenoord on Tuesday, De Bruyne said: "Obviously when I started the season, I know things would happen and talks would happen but then I unfortunately [sustained an injury] against Brentford, so I've basically put everything to the side.
"I was hoping to be out for a couple of days, and it ended up being eight, nine weeks. So for the moment, I'd rather still get better first and see how I am, and all the rest will come. I'm not really too obsessed with [contract talks] right now."
De Bruyne added: "I know people will ask me questions about this, but there's not a lot I can say, there's not been a lot of talks, so I'm fine, I'm happy, I just want to play good football again, and the future - we'll see."
"Questions will come, but I can only give you the answers that I'm giving you right now because there's nothing really more to talk about," the midfielder continued. "Talks will come, if no talks come then it's my last year. So I don't know, I'm trying to be honest.
"People can say or write about it, I can't affect that, I just want to play good football and we'll see what the future holds."
De Bruyne was asked whether it is up to him or Man City to instigate contract negotiations, and he said: "I had a conversation already in the summer, but then I had the injury so I was not in the right frame of mind to speak about that at the time.
"I really want to be good and be back where I need to be on the pitch and be myself again, and there's no rush also, so I don't feel uncomfortable in my situation. I just want to play football, and I'm not really worried."
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De Bruyne admits Guardiola's commitment "could help" persuade him to stay
Asked whether Guardiola's two-year contract renewal will have an impact on his future, De Bruyne added: "It could help. Maybe it would help to have a conversation with Pep to speak about my future. There's an understanding, I know how he works."
De Bruyne has suffered with a number of injury issues since he was forced off in the first half of Man City's Champions League final triumph against Inter Milan in July 2023, and has subsequently been reduced to only 19 Premier League games across the last 50 fixtures in the division.
The Belgian was sidelined for almost six months with a hamstring injury during the first half of last season and has since suffered with a niggling groin issue this term.
"This has been the most frustrating injury," said De Bruyne. "When I was out for five or six months, I knew that was the case. This time, I didn't know how long it would take to get better. I'm doing a lot of stuff to do that. I was happy that against Tottenham, I could see something different to the previous two games I came on."
De Bruyne is hoping to quickly build up his match fitness and establish himself once again as a key player under Guardiola, who feels that the playmaker "has to play" when he is fit and available.
Asked whether he expects De Bruyne to extend his contract at Man City, Guardiola said: "I don't know. That is up to Kevin.
"Whether that is the end of the next one, or the next one, or the next one. Like David Silva, he will decide when is best for him and the team. He will not want to be in the position where he can't play every three days. When he's available, he has to play."
De Bruyne, who came on for the final 16 minutes plus stoppage time in City's 4-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday, is in contention to play against Feyenoord at the Etihad on Tuesday.
Oliver Thomas
