Kevin De Bruyne is staying at Manchester City and the Premier League champion will likely have the same roster at its disposal for next season, Pep Guardiola has confirmed .
The City head coach dismissed all reports that De Bruyne was set to leave after allegedly agreeing personal terms with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, by announcing that the midfielder won't be leaving the club. There was heavy speculation that City would cash in on De Bruyne and accept the Saudi riches due to the 33-year-old entering the final year of his contract.
Fans of rival Premier League clubs began to celebrate, with De Bruyne being a major asset to City and establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in league history. The Belgian has been crucial to City's recent dominance, wounding Liverpool in the process after falling short in several Premier League title races.
Ahead of City's preseason clash against Celtic to kick off its U.S. tour, Guardiola said: "Kevin isn't leaving. If someone leaves, we're going to talk about that."
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk parties with Kevin De Bruyne and Calvin Harris during Liverpool break
READ MORE: Liverpool given record fee demand for Matt O'Riley transfer as Celtic responds to interest
Guardiola then continued to discuss the rest of the roster and potential transfer business, adding: "Of course, until the last day, we have chances (to make transfers). I don't rule out the option to have new players but I think there is an 85, 90 percent chance we will have the same squad.
"I feel comfortable, because the quality of human beings we have in the squad is difficult to be replaced, and the quality is there. But we'll see, I don't know in the last moment if someone comes for some players and they leave, we're going to decide."
Replacing De Bruyne would be a near-impossible task, and while it's inevitable in the future, Guardiola is certain that it's not an issue he will face this summer. Business has been quiet at City in the transfer window, with just one new signing after 20-year-old winger Savinho joined in a deal worth $43.6 million.
Savinho's fee was mostly covered by the sales of Sergio Gomez, Tommy Doyle, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who generated a collective $40.3 million. City won a record fourth-straight Premier League title last season, and Guardiola's players are favorites to be crowned champions again in 2024-25.
A rivalry between City and Liverpool has formed in recent years with both teams thriving under Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola respectively. Liverpool did enjoy success and ended its 30-year wait for a league title, but City has clinched more silverware than any other English side since Guardiola was appointed.
It's been speculated that Guardiola could leave his role in the near future, and it could impact City's dominance as it transitions. Liverpool is dealing with the same conundrum under new head coach Arne Slot after finding comfort under Klopp for nearly nine years.
Slot faces a major challenge in his first season but is trusted as the right man for the job. With Guardiola confirming De Bruyne's stay, he will have to face City at full strength.
Most Popular
Comments / 0