Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has broken his silence on rumors linking his top midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, to a transfer exit from the club this summer.
De Bruyne’s Manchester City future made the headlines with reports he has reached an agreement with Saudi club Al-Ittihad to join the club this summer.
Italian sports journalist Rudi Galeti claimed De Bruyne had agreed on personal terms with the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League champions.
The report added the club are set to enter into talks with Manchester City to round up the final aspects of the deal.
Galeti’s report gained currency due to De Bruyne’s earlier comment that he would not hesitate to move to Saudi Arabia if they came calling with a lucrative offer.
According to the footie ace, he had discussed his next career stop with his wife Michele Macroix, who wants a more ‘exotic’ chapter after the footballer’s spell with Manchester City. Hence, Michele Macroix is thought to have played a role in De Bruyne’s purported plan to move to Saudi Arabia.
However, a report shared by transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, confirmed Kevin De Bruyne has not reached an agreement with Al-Ittihad and is set to continue his career with Manchester City.
The report has now been corroborated by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who finally broke silence on the rumor.
Speaking with Sky Sports ahead of Manchester City’s pre-season friendly against Celtic, the former Barcelona manager made it clear that Kevin De Bruyne is not leaving the club as reported.
“Kevin is not going. If someone leaves, we’re going to talk about that,” Guardiola said.
“Of course, until the last day, we have chances (to make transfers), I don’t rule out the option to have new players but I think there is an 85/90 per cent chance we will have the same squad.
“But we’ll see, I don’t know in the last moment if someone comes for some players and they leave, we’re going to decide,” he added.
Kevin De Bruyne has been crucial to Pep Guardiola’s unrivaled success at Manchester City. The 33-year-old Belgium international has made 382 appearances for the club, with triple-digit goals (107) and assists (170).
Known for his athletic prowess, incredible work rate, crossing and passing accuracy, including excellent shooting skills, the prolific midfielder has been integral to the emergence of Manchester as a Premier League and European powerhouse.
He has won six Premier League titles, five Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and one Champions League with the club.
Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City contract saga
While Pep Guardiola has debunked reports linking De Bruyne to an exit from Manchester City, the player’s future at the club is far from settled. The former Wolfsburg midfielder has one year left on his contract.
With the Premier League set to resume on August 16, De Bruyne will be entering his last season with City. Meanwhile, he has yet to sign a new contract as of the time of filing this report. Suggestions are Manchester City would have settled terms with De Bruyne on a new deal if the player was to continue with the club for a longer duration.
Nevertheless, close sources reveal the Premier League giants are still hopeful of agreeing a new contract with the player. As things stand, De Bruyne is likely to continue his career with Manchester City next season but may still leave this summer if no new deal is agreed. It is unlikely the club will risk losing him on a free transfer after next season.
