Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, coach of English club Manchester City, confirmed that Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will remain with the club next season, putting an end to rumours that he could move to the Saudi Football League.
Press reports spoke about the possibility of De Bruyne moving to the Saudi League, specifically to Al-Ittihad Jeddah Club, in exchange for a huge deal.
But English newspapers published on Tuesday confirmed Guardiola’s rejection of any idea of allowing the 33-year-old player to leave this season, and quoted him before Manchester City’s friendly match against Scottish Celtic in North Carolina, saying: “Kevin will not leave.”
De Bruyne was absent from Manchester City’s ranks for several months last season due to injury before returning in the second half of the season and contributing to his team achieving an unprecedented achievement by winning the English Premier League for the fourth consecutive season.
De Bruyne made press statements early last June, in which he hinted at the possibility of his departure from Manchester City, specifically to the Saudi League.
“At my age you have to be open to anything,” De Bruyne, a six-time Premier League winner, told Belgian broadcaster HLN. “You’re talking about huge sums of money, and it could be my last contract. Sometimes you have to think about that.”
“My eldest son is eight and he only knows England. He asks me how long I will stay at City. When the time comes, we have to deal with it somehow. To earn that amount I will probably have to play football for 15 years, and maybe I won’t get there,” added the talented player, who played at the recent European Championships with his country.
De Bruyne, whose contract with City expires in June 2025, made just 26 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring six goals and providing 18 assists.