Kevin De Bruyne has cast doubt over his long-term future at Manchester City if a two-year Champions League ban is upheld.
City were handed the ban in February for an alleged breach of Financial Fair Play rules but immediately issued a statement vowing to appeal the punishment.
The midfielder says City have assured him and his team-mates that UEFA’s decision will be overturned on appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
That appeal process has yet to start and De Bruyne, 28, has admitted that while he could accept a one-year suspension, the prospective of two seasons out of Europe may prove difficult to countenance.
‘I’m just waiting a little bit. The club are one hundred percent convinced that they are in the right,’ De Bruyne told Het Laatste Nieuws.
‘I have confidence in my club. If they are saying it’s true, then I believe them. We’ll wait and see what happens. Once there is a final decision I will look at it.
‘Two years (without Champions League football) would be long. One year is something I might be able to cope with.’
De Bruyne has shunned plenty of interest from abroad to remain at the Etihad Stadium and confirmed that tentative discussions surrounding a new contract had been mooted.
City’s plan before the coronavirus pandemic was to sit down with star players, notably the Belgian and forward Raheem Sterling, to negotiate fresh terms towards the end of the season.
‘At the moment there are no real talks on a contract extension,’ De Bruyne added. ‘I don’t know what will happen. We are a bit in limbo with all what’s happening now in the world.
‘When the season is finally finished, there might come an opportunity to look at the future. It’s not the moment to think about it right now.’
Source:- All Football
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