Wolfsburg's Klaus Allofs on De Bruyne: 'He has an astonishing, astonishing offer from City'

Regardless of whether Kevin De Bruyne does indeed move from VfL Wolfsburg to Manchester City, most people simply want the reports involving the potential transfer to come to an end.

Back in early May, De Bruyne's agent, Patrick de Koster, claimed that City was one of three clubs to have made "informal contact" regarding his client. It was the first time a connection was made between the team and the player.

On Thursday, more than three months later, Klaus Alloffs, Wolfsburg's general manager, became the first party from either the German club or City to confirm that talks between the two sides had taken place, admitting that negotiations are ongoing over a deal that is, according to David Conn of the Guardian, believed to be valued at £54 million.

Related: Wolfsburg confirms talks with Manchester City over Kevin De Bruyne deal

It didn't end there, however, as Allofs expanded on the situation at Thursday's Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, insisting that City has made an "astonishing offer" for the Belgian assist machine, who tallied 20 dimes last season, more than any other player in Europe's top five leagues.

"During the day we have gone on with negotiations and we've got closer to each other," Allofs said. "But the deal is not already done. So hopefully we will find an end tonight or tomorrow night."

Allofs added: "Kevin still is a key player for Wolfsburg. It is a big blow if he is leaving Wolfsburg but, you know, it's a difficult situation. He has an astonishing, astonishing offer from City and we can't compete with that. We had to take it seriously, that is the way we react with our players, and finally we decided to start negotiations with City."

Although De Bruyne featured in Wolfsburg's first two Bundesliga fixtures this season, he has been left out of the squad for Friday's match versus Schalke.