Guardiola’s decision ‘hard change’ for Manchester City player – Exit talk encouraged for star

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has been urged to consider leaving the Etihad in the summer window.

That’s according to Belgian journalist Filip Joos, and he made this claim during 90 Minutes podcast, relayed by Voetbal Krant.

The 32-year-old has just over a year left on his contract and has already been linked with a move away from Manchester City.

De Bruyne’s last outing was in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United, where Pep Guardiola took him off after 57 minutes, and Joos suggests the 32-year-old may no longer be a key player for the Citizens manager.

“That’s a hard change because it says something about how the coach sees you. Guardiola would never have done this with Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Not even with the best De Bruyne, but a slightly inferior De Bruyne can still be trusted,” he said.

The Belgium international is said to have received interest from both MLS and Saudi Arabia, while a few reports in the UK have mentioned the Premier League winners want to offer him an extension.

According to the journalist, he should consider leaving Manchester City for Real Madrid in the next window. Joos is of the belief Guardiola’s side will open the exit door if De Bruyne were to request for a transfer.

“I say:‘Go!’. Go and replace Kroos. If De Bruyne now goes to the top [leaders] of Man City and says: ‘I have been good here for so long, but I am 32 and it is my last chance. Real want me and I would really like to do that.’ Is he going or not? I think so. I think he has built up such a status that City would allow it,” Joos explained.