De Bruyne signs new City deal until 2023
MANCHESTER City have tied talisman Kevin De Bruyne down to a new five-anda-half-year contract.
De Bruyne agreed terms last week on his £280,000-a-week, which could see him pocket around an additional £70,000 in bonuses.
Murmurs about interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona surfaced, with City moving quickly to complete a deal until 2023, with Brazilian midfielder Fred, 24, edging closer to a move to City from Shakhtar Donetsk.
‘It was pretty easy decision,’ said De Bruyne after last night’s announcement. ‘ Obviously you hear a lot of people talk about other clubs.
‘At the moment we are one of the best clubs in the world. The way this club is working as a whole unit is unbelievable. I’ve never witnessed it like that before. I think maybe the best thing is that I’ve performed well in the big games. Hopefully we can go far in all competitions.’
De Bruyne is settled in Manchester with his wife Michele and son Mason, and wants to give Pep Guardiola his best years.
‘When we came here, Michele was already expecting,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘Everything went so well and the family is very happy. My wife also knows that for us it is the best decision to stay here.’
De Bruyne and City take a 2-1 lead to Ashton Gate tonight, where Bristol City boss Lee Johnson wants to impress in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano joined Guardiola in meeting Johnson for 25 minutes following the first leg.
Intriguingly part of those discussions appeared to centre on a potential loan link-up. ‘The key is trust,’ said Johnson. ‘A top club want to know a player is going to be looked after correctly, but also that the coach continues to improve them. I’d like to think clubs believe we will do that right.
‘ The discussions naturally provoked thought. If that thought can now be created into ideas and implemented into our philosophy, then great.’
Manchester City send youngsters to La Liga’s Girona and NAC Breda in Holland to varying success. To have a favoured club at home might also be fruitful.
‘It’s good to be mixing in these circles,’ Johnson added. ‘It only makes the desire to get to the Premier League even stronger.
‘We had more shots and more possession at the Etihad than any other Premier League team so far. Beating City would rank as one of the best results in our history. The players would go down in folklore.’