Manchester City would consider offering Kevin De Bruyne a role at clubs within their own football group when he eventually moves on from the Etihad Stadium, such is his standing at the Premier League champions.

De Bruyne, who scored this week against Nottingham Forest on his return from injury, is out of contract in seven months and recently revealed he was unsure about his future when he spoke before the Champions League clash with Feyenoord.

While he is free to talk to other clubs over a pre-contract next month, he could also extend at City for an 11th season. It is thought that whenever he decides his next move, City would welcome keeping him within the City Football Group (CFG).

CFG have built an impressive stable of clubs since taking over at City in 2008 and also own New York City in America and Melbourne City in Australia as well as clubs in Europe.

De Bruyne has been linked with foreign clubs after a glittering decade in England, with the Saudi Pro League understood to be monitoring his situation as a Bosman free transfer ahead of the 2025-26 season.

America has consistently been proposed as a possible destination for later in his career and he is represented by US company Roc Nation for commercial work, although his last City deal was widely reported to have been negotiated by himself and no agents were listed on the Football Association’s list of transactions during that time.

This season is De Bruyne’s 10th at City after arriving from Wolfsburg in a deal worth £55 million in 2015, during which time he has won six Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and five League Cups while establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s great midfielders.

De Bruyne, who has also twice been voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year, has produced 114 assists – including one against Forest on Wednesday – with only Ryan Giggs ahead of him in the Premier League’s list of goal creators.

This week Pep Guardiola hit back strongly at Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher over claims there was a rift with De Bruyne this season. The Belgium midfielder’s playing time has been limited due to injuries leading to suggestions that “something isn’t right between those two”.

“No, I don’t want Kevin to play,” Guardiola said sarcastically. “The guy who has the most talent in the final third. I don’t want it. I have a personal problem with him after nine years together.”

De Bruyne was captain when he scored and assisted against Forest as City ended their miserable run of seven matches without a win. It was his first start since mid-September after a pelvic injury.