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Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City Set for Showdown Talks Over His Future
Manchester City is gearing up for a crucial discussion with Kevin De Bruyne regarding his future plans, following Pep Guardiola’s confirmation that the midfielder will stay at the club for the final year of his contract.
- Al-Ittihad had been hopeful of luring Kevin De Bruyne away from Manchester City
- Pep Guardiola has insisted that De Bruyne ‘isn’t leaving’ the club
- Manchester City wants to determine De Bruyne’s next steps as soon as possible
Manchester City will seek to establish Kevin De Bruyne’s future plans after Pep Guardiola confirmed the talismanic midfielder will remain at the club for the final year of his contract.
De Bruyne has been the subject of intense interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ittihad hopeful of luring him away from the Etihad Stadium. However, Guardiola has shot down suggestions of a departure, stating: ‘Kevin isn’t leaving.’
City wants to ascertain De Bruyne’s next steps as soon as possible, given his deal expires next summer, with talks scheduled when he returns to Manchester next month.
Kevin De Bruyne (pictured) is set for showdown talks with Manchester City next month
Guardiola has stressed that this is likely to be a quiet transfer window for the Premier League champions, who have so far added £33 million winger Savinho from sister club Troyes.
City would need to heavily finance a replacement for De Bruyne were he to run his contract down and could be conserving finance ahead of that eventuality.
The City boss claimed that there is a ’85-90 per cent chance’ that their squad will now stay the same once the campaign kicks off – unless star players agitate for moves away.
Ederson and Julian Alvarez are the two with the most interest, from Al-Ittihad and Atletico Madrid respectively. Atletico’s pursuit of Girona striker Artem Dovbyk appears separate to Alvarez, who is likely to cost up to £70 million.
Pep Guardiola (pictured) has insisted that De Bruyne will not leave the club, despite interest from Al-Ittihad
Guardiola said: ‘If someone leaves, we’re going to talk about that. Of course, until the last day, we have chances (to make transfers). I don’t rule it out the option to have new players but I think there is an 85,90 per cent chance we will have the same squad.’
The 33-year-old talked up the prospect of a move to the Middle East during the European Championship before insisting he was happy at City
City have had a quiet transfer window so far, having only signed £33 million winger Savinho from sister club Troyes.
Guardiola, meanwhile, wouldn’t be drawn on links to the vacant England job.
Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City are set for showdown talks over his future after Pep Guardiola insisted the he would stay amid reports Al-Ittihad have agreed terms with the Belgian star