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 in Antwerp, according to reports in Belgium
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
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