Kevin De Bruyne says no talks with Manchester City, can start pre-contract negotiations in January - 'Nothing yet'

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Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will soon be free to start pre-contract talks with clubs from abroad, with his current deal at the Etihad set to expire in June. The 33-year-old said that negotiations to stay with City have not resumed since his recent hamstring injury, and he has previously made it clear he would entertain a move away, most notably after links with Saudi sides

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Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will soon be free to negotiate a free transfer after he confirmed contract talks to stay at the Etihad remain on hold.

The 33-year-old said in November that talks were halted after he suffered a two-month injury, with discussions beginning in pre-season.

The Belgian midfielder was hit by a four-month layoff last season with a hamstring injury, with the same problem occurring in the current campaign, and his current deal at the Etihad is due to expire in June.

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In recent months, De Bruyne has made it clear he would consider a big-money move away, potentially to the Saudi Pro League, as he approaches the last years of his career.

When he is in the last six months of his contract, he will be free to negotiate a pre-contract deal with a club outside England, meaning Saudi, European and MLS sides could all be tempted to strike a deal.

Discussing whether talks had restarted for a new deal, De Bruyne said: "No. Nothing yet."

De Bruyne added to The Independent that he continues to be hampered by an abdominal problem.

"It’s pubis," he said. "It’s a bit of everything.

"It’s not nice, but there’s not a lot you can do about it. Just wait. I hope to get better now."

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Discussing how long it will take to return to full fitness, he added: "I don’t know. It’s hard to say. With the injury I had, I took a while, and then I had four games in 10 days, which was hard. I’m happy for today."

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