Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has opened the door to leaving the club if their two-year Champions League ban is upheld.
UEFA gave the punishment after finding City guilty of ‘serious breaches’ of financial fair play regulations, but they are appealing the decision.
A couple of Man City players might reconsider their futures if the ban isn’t reduced and De Bruyne hinted he might be one of those players.
‘I’m just waiting,’ Kevin De Bruyne told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
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‘The club told us they are going to appeal and they are almost 100 per cent sure they are right.
‘That’s why I’m waiting to see what will happen. I trust my team. ‘Once the decision is made, I will review everything.
‘Two years [without Champions League football] would be long, but in the case of one year, I might see.’
However, Pep Guardiola has vowed to stand by the club, who deny any wrongdoing.
De Bruyne, who has won two Premier League titles with Man City in five years, insisted his decision to stay or leave would not depend on Pep Guardiola.
‘I think Pep said he will take his year anyway no matter what. Then his contract ends,’ he said.
‘But I’m not going to let my decision depend on what Pep is doing.
‘Of course I have already worked with other trainers and when Pep leaves, I have to continue working with someone else.
‘But I haven’t really paid much attention to that for the time being. There are more important things at the moment.’
