De Bruyne deal close

MANCHESTER City have made an “astonishing” salary offer to Kevin de Bruyne, Wolfsburg’s director of sport Klaus Allofs has revealed.

Allofs, speaking in Monaco after the Champions League draw, said negotiations with City over a move had come closer to an agreement – there have been reports the Bundesliga club want £54m as a transfer fee for the Belgian creative midfielder.

The Wolfsburg director admitted his side could not compete with the financial muscle of the Premier League in general and City in particular after their salary offer to the 24 year old.

He said: “He’s had an astonishing offer from City and we can’t compete with that. We had to take it seriously and that is the way we react with our players and finally we decided to start negotiations with City.”