City owners want to reward De Bruyne
BUOYED by their brilliant performance in the English Premier League, Manchester City are already in talks with key figures in the team to ensure sustained success.
British media reports indicate that the club is close to agreeing a new long-term contract with Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
The 26-year-old signed a six-year deal when he joined City from Vfl Wolfsburg for a club record £55 million (current value: R945m) in 2015, but his new contract could run to 2024, according to the reports.
The Independent reported that De Bruyne was expected to double his current wages and earn about £200 000 (R3.4m) a week with a series of bonuses on top.
City’s owners want to reward De Bruyne for his superb performances this season in their top-flight record 16-match winning league run as part of the contract extension.
“I’ve no feeling to go anywhere else and enjoy being part of the project here and playing the kind of football we are playing,” the Belgian said in the match programme ahead of City’s 4-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
“The team is going in the right direction and that’s also important. I made the right decision coming to City and my family feels the same so everything is good,” he added.
The former Chelsea player, who helped Belgium qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia, has scored six goals in the league this season with eight assists.
City is also expected to agree a new deal with 32-year-old Brazil midfielder Fernandinho, whose contract finishes at the end of the season, and have taken steps to sort out a new deal with his 20-year-old compatriot Gabriel Jesus.
City officials have also taken notice of the contribution of manager Pep Guardiola and are holding talks with him to extend his three-year deal.
The reports said that convincing the 46-year-old to sign a new contract would top the agenda at next May’s end-of-season review traditionally held by City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive officer Ferran Sorriano.
Sky Sports, citing sources connected to the runaway Premier League leaders, reported that City were confident everything was in place to persuade Guardiola to stay longer at the club.
City are 11 points clear at the top of the table after extending their English top-flight record winning run to 16 games in a row with a 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday that maintained their unbeaten league campaign.
Guardiola is halfway through his contract, worth up to £20m (R343m) annually. - Reuters