Kevin De Bruyne drops massive transfer hint

The Bundesliga runners-up have slapped a £50 million price tag on the Belgian to ward off potential suitors, while director Klaus Allofs said the 24-year-old was “99.9 per cent certain” to stay.

But De Bruyne has risked infuriating his management by refusing to commit to Wolfsburg.

"I'm not the type to say that I'm staying here, and then in two weeks that I'm off," De Bruyne said.

"You have to be a bit open... I'm just trying to be honest," he added.

"If in the end it happens, you won't be able to say that I lied. That's just football, but I know of course that it is not easy for the fans.

"Here everything is going well for me currently. But I also know that there are a lot of reports about me in the media. For me it is just important that I am fit in one or two weeks, when it really starts."

The former Chelsea midfielder piqued the interest of Europe’s top clubs following an impressive campaign that saw him net 10 goals and provide 20 assists.

It’s abundantly clear: De Bruyne wants a transfer.

You don’t open your mouth just days before the season gets underway unless you’re trying to create a bit of hassle. A return to the Premier League beckons and the script is already a juicy one: former Chelsea player moves to rival club and spearheads their title quest.

De Bruyne's arrival would leave City with a mouth-watering floating midfield trio – David Silva, De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling – with Yaya Toure and one of Fernandinho, Fernando and Fabian Delph stationed behind. Add another centre-back and City would possess a side easily capable of challenging Chelsea for domestic honours.

It's no wonder De Bruyne has started talking. After all, Wolfsburg will find it near-impossible to topple Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, despite their dramatic Super Cup win.