Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will remain with the club amid rumours linking him with move to Saudi Arabia.
The Belgium International is entering the final year of his contract and admitted at the end of last season that the time to start thinking about life after City is nigh.
But in a press conference as City get their pre-season in the United States underway, Guardiola has made clear his creative midfield star will be at the Etihad Stadium this season.
“No, Kevin isn’t leaving,” Guardiola said in response to a journalist who started saying “Kevin’s going to Saudi (Arabia)…”
“If someone leaves we’ll talk about that. I’m not ruling out the option to have any new players but if anyone leaves, I think 85/90% we’ll have the same squad,” the Man. City boss added.
De Bruyne is one of the longest serving players under Guardiola at City behind Ederson and Bernardo Silva, with the Brazilian goalkeeper strongly linked with Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia.
Another player being linked away from the club is Julian Alvarez coming off the Copa America title win with Argentina, with Atletico Madrid said to be eyeing a deal for him as a replacement for Alvaro Morata, who has joined AC Milan after winning the Euros with Spain.