Pep Guardiola Quashes Rumors of Kevin De Bruyne's Manchester City Exit

Head coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will remain with Manchester City for the upcoming season, despite rumors of a potential move to Al Ittihad. Guardiola emphasized the strength of the current squad and the club's strategy for handling any potential departures.

Amidst swirling rumors, head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that star Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will not be departing Manchester City in the upcoming season. Recently, speculations suggested that De Bruyne had been in contact with Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad, aiming for a shocking transfer after nearly nine years with City.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City's friendly match against Celtic in North Carolina, Guardiola addressed the transfer concerns. He stated, if a player were to leave, the club would handle the situation accordingly. Guardiola added there's an 85 to 90 percent likelihood of retaining the current squad.

"Kevin is not going anywhere. If someone leaves, we'll discuss it," Guardiola told Sky Sports. He indicated that there are chances for last-minute signings but emphasized the high probability of maintaining the current roster. Guardiola stressed that the existing players' quality and camaraderie would be difficult to replace, yet remained open to potential transfer opportunities if necessary.

Despite a lackluster performance at EURO 2024, where De Bruyne scored only once in four matches, the midfielder proved vital in Manchester City's Premier League campaign. After overcoming an injury, De Bruyne contributed significantly with four goals and ten assists in 18 matches, aiding City's title win in the 2023-24 season.

(With inputs from agencies.)