Wolfsburg keen to keep De Bruyne despite City interest

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Wolfsburgs Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal and Wolfsburg in London on July 26, 2015

Belgium international playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is all but certain to remain with Wolfsburg next season, sporting director Klaus Allofs said Wednesday amid reports of interest from Manchester City.

De Bruyne starred as Wolfsburg finished second in the Bundesliga and won the German Cup last season and City were reported to be ready to make a blockbuster bid of around £50 million ($77.9m) for the 24-year-old former Chelsea midfielder.

But Allofts insisted that Wolfsburg were not dependent on the transfer money although they would study any offers out of respect for the player. "But the chances that he will stay are 99.9%," he added.

De Bruyne remained tight-lipped stating it was "the clubs who decide" on his future a week before the Bundesliga gets underway.

"I can't say what will happen. I'm not aware of any offer. It's the clubs who decide what will happen. We have to see what Wolfsburg say," Bruyne told SID, an AFP subsidiary.

"I'm not the type to say that I'm staying and then to leave two weeks later," added the 33-times capped Bruyne, who is under contract until 2019.

Wolfsburg open their season at home against Eintracht Frankfurt on August 16.

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