Sport: Manchester City Delay Contract Talks with Kevin De Bruyne Amid Injury Recovery

Manchester City have decided to postpone contract negotiations with Kevin De Bruyne until he has fully recovered from his leg injury, as reported by the Daily Star. The midfielder sustained a hamstring problem during City’s 3-0 victory over Burnley in the Premier League opener and is not expected to return until early 2024. His current contract expires in the summer of 2025, and discussions regarding an extension will only commence after his surgery and recovery. This implies that De Bruyne will enter the final year of his £375,000-per-week contract when negotiations for a new deal finally begin.

However, manager Pep Guardiola is eager to retain De Bruyne as a vital asset for the squad and has given the club’s management the green light to offer the midfielder an additional two-year contract. This decision aligns with City’s recent focus on preserving the experience and expertise of their players, evident in their contract renewal with Kyle Walker this week. De Bruyne, who is now represented by his father, is content in Manchester but is aware that there may be significant interest from clubs across Europe if an agreement is not reached by the end of this season.

In other football news, AS Roma is making preparations for goalkeeper Rui Patrício’s potential departure at the end of the season. As per Calciomercato, they are eyeing Union Berlin’s Frederik Ronnow as his replacement, with Lazio also expressing interest in the Danish goalkeeper. Roma is also considering the signing of Santos striker Marcos Leonardo in January for a reported €17m fee, while FC Porto right-back João Mário has also caught their attention.

Arsenal’s Thomas Partey is growing concerned about losing his place on the team and may consider leaving in January if he is no longer considered a crucial part of coach Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup. Football Insider suggests that Juventus, long-time admirers of the 30-year-old midfielder, could be a potential destination for him.

In Barcelona, it is reported by Fabrizio Romano that winger Lamine Yamal and full-back Alejandro Balde have both signed new contracts to continue playing for the club. The deals were reportedly finalized prior to Barcelona’s preseason tour in July. Yamal, at 16 years old, signed a deal until June 2026, which is the maximum length for his age, while 19-year-old Balde’s contract runs until June 2028. The official confirmation of these deals is expected soon.

In scouting news, Lucas Piton, the 22-year-old left-back from Vasco Da Gama, caught the attention of two undisclosed clubs, one from the Premier League and one from Serie A, during his team’s match against Fluminense. Meanwhile, a club from the Portuguese Primeira Liga is evaluating the situation of Cruzeiro winger Wesley. The 24-year-old has been impressive this season, contributing four goals and one assist in 20 league matches. His contract with Cruzeiro extends until December 2026.

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