- Haaland has put pen to paper on a £500,000-a-week deal running until 2034
- De Bruyne, meanwhile, is out of contract at end of the season and could depart
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Are Everton where they deserve to be or are the club’s fans delusional?
Pep Guardiola hopes Erling Haaland‘s new long-term contract will help persuade Kevin De Bruyne to stay at Manchester City.
De Bruyne, out of contract this summer, is returning to his best after an injury-hit campaign and provided a world-class assist for Phil Foden at Brentford in midweek.
His dazzling partnership with Haaland has enabled City to win four consecutive Premier League titles and the Treble and Guardiola hasn’t given up on his two star players working in tandem again next season.
‘Of course it can happen,’ said the City boss ahead of Sunday’s visit to Ipswich.
‘Kevin is in improved physical condition. He knows that. He says he feels better.
‘He has been struggling a lot five years and made an effort this season, playing when he was not at his top’
Pep Guardiola is hopeful that Erling Haaland’s new mega-contract can convince Kevin De Bruyne to stay at Manchester City
Haaland this week put pen to paper on a deal running until 2034 worth £500,000-a-week
De Bruyne, meanwhile, is out of contract at the end of the season and could leave the club
‘There is no player at that age, even younger, that can not play without niggles. But some problems more difficult to handle than the other ones.
‘Kevin has struggled a lot and made incredible work ethic. I saw him working very well to come back and being the best. And of course, having that special quality that is unique in the world.’
With captain Kyle Walker in talks with AC Milan to leave, it would be a coup for the club to persuade 33-year-old De Bruyne to stay when he’s tempted by finishing his career in America or Saudi Arabia.
Haaland has committed himself to the club for 10 years and City are set to sign Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush and RC Lends defender Abdukodir Khusanov as Guardiola builds for the future.
City have taken seven points from a possible nine to arrest a worrying slump but defender Manuel Akanji is expecting a battle at Portman Road Ipswich’s Liam Delap who came through the academy at The Etihad.
‘He is physical and fast. He has a really good shot and doesn’t hesitate,’ said Akanji. ‘I’m physically strong so I don’t mind going up against a player like that.’
