Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola knows it will be difficult to find a replacement for midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, should the Belgian depart next year.

The playmaker joined City in 2015 and has played a key role in their trophy-laden spell since then, but he will be out of contract at the end of the season. 

De Bruyne's season has been hampered by injury, but the 33-year-old started his first Premier League game since August as City returned to winning ways after seven winless games against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. 

And Guardiola could not stress enough the impact De Bruyne has had on the club.   

"I'm not involved in it," the City boss said, when quizzed about contract negotiations with De Bruyne. 

"I would like to have him 23 years old and sign a contract for 10 years, this is what I'd like, we'll see."

De Bryune signed for City a year before Guardiola's arrival and has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups while also helping them to their first-ever Champions League triumph during the 2022-23 season. 

"There are players for whom the impact on the legacy of this club will be eternal, will be forever," said Guardiola. 

"Of course, it is not easy to replace [them], but as a club, we have to find in the moment, if it's going to happen, we have to find the best way."

Before the game against Forest, Guardiola had to brush aside suggestions of a rift between himself and De Bruyne.

"People say I've got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don't want Kevin to play?" he said. 

"The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don't want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together?

"He's delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he's been five months injured [last season] and two months injured [this season].

"He's 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He'll try to do it and feel better. I'm desperate to have his best."