De Bruyne at City to stay, says Pep Guardiola
Manchester City's Portuguese defender Ruben Dias (L) passes the captain's armband to Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) during the English FA Cup third round football match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 7, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne will stay at the club.
De Bruyne has been heavily linked with a summer move to
Saudi Arabia.
He has one-year left on his Blues contract and said last
month he would have to consider an offer from the Saudi Pro-League because of
the "incredible money" available.
"Kevin isn’t leaving," he told reporters before
his side's opening pre-season game against Celtic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
on Wednesday.
De Bruyne helped inspire City to the Premier League title
last season, the club's fourth in a row and his sixth in total at the club.
Crystal Palace’s England Euro 2024 squad member Ebereche Eze
has been linked with a move to City, while Brazil goalkeeper Ederson has also
been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia.
But Guardiola feels it is more likely he will have the same
squad as last season.
"If someone leaves, we are going to talk about that
and, of course, until the last day [of the transfer window] we have
chances," he said.
"I don’t rule out new players as an option, but I think
there is an 85, 90, 95% chance we will have the same squad."
City begin their Premier League title defence at Chelsea on 18 August.
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