Man City: Kevin De Bruyne will undergo surgery in Belgium for his hamstring injury, with the playmaker set to be out for FOUR months
- Kevin De Bruyne is set to have surgery on his hamstring in Belgium
- The Manchester City midfielder, 32, is set to miss between three to four months
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Kevin De Bruyne will go under the knife over the coming days to fix a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Manchester City's medical staff decided that operating on the problem was the 32-year-old's only option and he is now set to miss up to four months.
De Bruyne's operation is set for Antwerp and City will need to find ways of challenging on all fronts without their talisman.
They are in negotiations with West Ham over Lucas Paqueta, who is valued at more than £80million.
Kevin De Bruyne (pictured) is set to have surgery on a recurring hamstring problem
The Manchester City midfielder limped off after 23 minutes against Burnley last week
The news is a big blow to manager Pep Guardiola, who could see the star miss four months
It is a significant blow for manager Pep Guardiola, who furnished City with a first Super Cup victory when they met Sevilla before returning to defending three trophies after last season's famous Treble.
'It's serious,' Guardiola said of his talisman, who was advised surgery is required after consultations with three doctors. 'We have to decide on surgery or no surgery in the next days but he will be a few months out. Surgery will be three or four months.
'It is a blow and big loss for us. Kevin has specific qualities. You can lose it for one or two games but for a long time this is tough for us.'
The interest in Paqueta pre-dated De Bruyne's latest problem, with City having already gone in for the Brazilian at £60m. Rennes winger Jeremy Doku is also hoping to seal a move.
'We have to look forward and we have alternatives there at other options,' Guardiola said. 'Opportunities now for the other ones - life gives you that - and I am pretty sure they will take it.'
There is a clamour for Phil Foden to be thrown more responsibility in central areas, with Rodri revealing that the England international is 'the best player we have between the lines, turning and facing the goal'.