Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs admits the ongoing rumours surrounding the future of Kevin De Bruyne is affecting the Belgian midfielders' performances after the Wolves were held to a 1-1 draw by Cologne on Saturday.
Manchester City are expected to make a bid for last season's Bundesliga Player of the Year this week, with reports claiming they have already struck an agreement over terms with the player.
De Bruyne has looked a shadow of his usual self in Wolfsburg's opening two Bundesliga fixtures and Allofs fears the uncertainty about his future is having a negative influence.
"It's true, of course, that it's having an effect on us," Allofs told Sky Sport Deutschland. "But we must not start to complain.
"I will not accept that as an excuse. We have got to learn how to deal with these disturbances and this uncertainty."
The transfer window closes in just over a week's time and Wolfsburg still have one Bundesliga fixture to play - at home to Schalke on Friday night - before absolute certainty over De Bruyne's near future will be assured.
Their coach Dieter Hecking did not want to pin the blame on the Belgian, however, saying that he "was at least trying to keep up the tempo."
He added to Sky: "There were a few others who didn't necessarily have their best day."
The draw saw Wolfsburg slip two points behind Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga.
Source: PA
