Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne will remain with the club. Despite rumors linking De Bruyne to a summer move to Saudi Arabia, Guardiola is confident the player will stay.
De Bruyne, who has one year left on his contract with Manchester City, had mentioned last month that he might consider a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro-League. However, Guardiola dismissed any concerns about the midfielder's departure. "Kevin isn’t leaving," he assured reporters before the team's pre-season game against Celtic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
De Bruyne was instrumental in Manchester City's recent success, helping them secure their fourth consecutive Premier League title and his sixth with the club.
There have also been rumors about Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze joining City and interest from Saudi Arabia in City's Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson. Nonetheless, Guardiola believes that the squad will largely remain unchanged from last season.
"If someone leaves, we will discuss it, and until the transfer window closes, anything can happen," he said. "I don’t rule out new players, but I think there is an 85, 90, 95% chance we will have the same squad."
Manchester City will kick off their Premier League title defense against Chelsea on August 18.
