There’s little doubt that Pep Guardiola’s side wouldn’t be atop the domestic and European tree without Kevin De Bruyne at the heart of Man City’s midfield.
The Belgian is the heartbeat of the current team and has been for years now, and though more high-profile players take the plaudits, De Bruyne is the one that knits everything together.
With only a year left on his current contract, however, there’s a very real possibility that the 32-year-old might decide to move on to pastures new.
Man City postpone De Bruyne contract talks
That’s clearly not a situation that Guardiola would want, with Football Insider suggesting that the Catalan is “desperate” to keep his playmaker at the Etihad Stadium.
The outlet also go on to report that the current Premier League champions have made a definitive decision on De Bruyne’s contract talks.
They’ve been suspended until the end of the season, as City once again push for glory on all fronts.
They play this weekend in the FA Cup against Newcastle United, are right in the Premier League title race and remain in this season’s Champions League.
Fortunately for the club, it does appear that the player himself wishes to stay, so any negotiations should be a formality.
That both parties are happy to delay things for a couple more months would suggest that they’re entirely comfortable with how things have progressed to this point.