Man City close to De Bruyne deal extension

Dec 18, 2017 - 11:01 PM Kevin De Bruyne is close to agreeing a new contract with Manchester City, Press Association Sport understands.

The Belgium playmaker still has more than three years to run on his deal but City want to reward him for his outstanding form and to secure his services for even longer.

City began talks with the 26-year-old in the autumn and they have progressed to a stage where an agreement could be reached in the coming weeks.

The deal, which could be for up to another six years, would guarantee De Bruyne a significant pay rise.

The player is presently understood to be earning around Stg115,000 ($A200,000) per week plus bonuses.

City would not consider selling De Bruyne, even if they received a bid in excess of Stg100 million ($A175 million), but the new arrangement would serve as a formidable hands-off warning to the continent's biggest clubs.

"I always say in football that a lot of things can happen very quickly, but I'm very happy here and the people at the club know that," De Bruyne said in the matchday programme ahead of Saturday's victory over Tottenham.

"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 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."

De Bruyne, who failed to make an impact at Chelsea earlier in his career, joined City in a Stg54 million ($A94 million) move from Wolfsburg in 2015.

His superb performances this season have helped City open up an 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League and reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

He is top of the EPL assists lists with eight -- alongside teammates David Silva and Leroy Sane -- and has also scored seven goals in all competitions.

Silva signed a contract extension last month and the club are likely to move to tie Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to new deals.

Fernandinho, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is also set to be offered new terms.

Source: AAP