De Bruyne saga continues

Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs has confirmed Manchester City target Kevin de Bruyne will play on Saturday at Cologne in the Bundesliga.

The 24-year-old attacking-midfielder has been subject to transfer talk regarding a potential move to the English Premier League side.

According to reports on Thursday from a local newspaper in Wolfsburg, the player had expressed his wishes to leave the club privately and would be set to net 16 million euros per year at the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, English newspaper "The Sun" reported that De Bruyne would complete a deal within the next 48 hours for a fee of 70 million euros (78.2 million dollars).

But the Wolfsburg boss has dismissed suggestions that the player will be leaving before Saturday's league match in Cologne.

"Of course, he'll be there," insisted Allofs when asked whether the Belgian would be available for selection on Saturday.

"It looks like everyone is losing the plot with this story, but we're trying to keep a clear head. The matter already has some influence and is being discussed within the team; we have to deal with it."

Allofs didn't address whether the player had informed the club of his wishes to return to the English Premier League following his move to Wolfsburg in 2014.

Should the saga drag on further, then Wolfsburg would be left in a difficult position to find a replacement for Germany's Footballer of the Year before the close of the window on August 31.

"Of course, the coach wants some clarity, specifically so the players can concentrate," added Allofs.

"We will make every effort so that Kevin stays with Wolfsburg for another year."