Kevin De Bruyne's ambition to play in his third World Cup is behind the Belgian playmaker's willingness to accept a reduced role at Manchester City next season.
De Bruyne, who will turn 34 in June, is out of contract at the Etihad and has big-money offers on the table from both the Saudi Pro League and the MLS. But he has set his sights on going to the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026.
And he feels staying with City in the Premier League will help him go into the tournament in the best physical and technical condition. City boss Pep Guardiola believes De Bruyne still has something to offer despite a season spent battling for fitness - and wants him to rely on his experience as he rebuilds his squad at the Etihad.
City are ready to offer De Bruyne a 12-month extension but the former Chelsea and Wolfsburg man will have to take a huge reduction on his current £375,000-a-week wages to make it happen. It's likely that City will look to hand the midfielder a £150,000-a-week deal to take his stay in Manchester into an 11th year but with a healthy package of bonuses loaded on top.
Guardiola told reporters on Friday: "There are players here that their age is over 30, but they are part of the future of this club. Kevin and the club will decide on his future. Everyone who has a contract for next season, I expect him to be here.
"They are going to help us. Next season will be a lot of games. We cannot do it just with our new ones. They will be able to help and be part of our season."
In January, De Bruyne confirmed that there'd been no talks with City regarding his future. "I've not spoken to them for the moment. I wanted to get better, I'm doing better, so I'm happy," the Belgium international explained. "We'll see, something will happen. I don't think wherever I go I'll get a 10-year contract anyway, so I don't need to stress."
De Bruyne said last year that he was 'open to everything' amid links of a move to Saudi Arabia. "For Michele (his wife), an exotic adventure is okay. These are also conversations that we are increasingly having as a family," the 33-year-old revealed to VTM.
"I still have one year of contract, so I have to think about what can happen. My eldest [child] is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play at City. Once the time comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.
"At my age, you have to be open to everything. You talk about unbelievable amounts in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that."
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