Manchester City are reportedly planning to offer an improved contract to midfielder Kevin de Bruyne following his strong start to the Premier League campaign. The Belgium international still has four years left on his existing £115,000 a week but the Citizens are hoping to ward off big-club interest with a fresh extension.
According to The Telegraph, the Mancunian giants will reward De Bruyne with a new long-term contract which will be more reflective of his performance in the Premier League. The former Wolfsburg man is also said to be content with his stay at the Etihad, and the club are confident of committing him to a fresh deal on wages in excess of £200,000 a week.
Under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne has played in a slightly deeper midfield role, and this has brought the best of his abilities as he is capable of finding the precise forward pass. The Belgian notched a couple of assists during the 5-0 thumping of Liverpool earlier in the month, and he has since added to his tally against both Feyenoord and Watford.
With the vast creative talent in the City ranks, De Bruyne’s showing could often go unnoticed, but Pep Guardiola heaped special praise following the 4-0 Champions League triumph over Feyenoord last week where he admitted that the Belgian is ‘one of the best players‘ he has seen in his life. Such a comment is unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon by De Bruyne as Pep has previously worked with the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, who are regarded among the best modern-day footballers.
Manchester City have gone through the early part of the Premier League season with relative ease, and they are currently at the top of the table with 13 points – equal with cross-city rivals Manchester United, who hold an identical record.
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