Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian midfielder, has previously expressed his openness to the idea of moving to the Middle East, especially as he enters the final year of his current contract with Manchester City.
As the situation stands, this could mark the conclusion of his remarkable decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the upcoming season unless Manchester City successfully persuades him to extend his stay with a new contract.
For the time being, however, De Bruyne remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
The Manchester City manager, Guardiola, has been adamant about the midfielder’s status, making it clear that De Bruyne will not be departing this summer.
Speaking to reporters ahead of City’s pre-season friendly against Celtic, Guardiola was firm in his statement: “Kevin is not going.”
He elaborated that any departure would be addressed if it were to happen, but as of now, De Bruyne is staying.
Guardiola emphasized that while there are still possibilities for transfers up until the final day of the window, he is confident that the squad will remain largely unchanged.
He estimated that there is an 85 to 90 percent chance that the same group of players would be competing for the club in the upcoming season.
The manager expressed his comfort with the current squad, praising both the quality of the players and the character of the individuals within the team.
However, he did acknowledge the uncertainty that comes with the transfer market, noting that there is always a possibility that unexpected moves could occur if other clubs make offers for his players.
These comments from Guardiola effectively quashed the recent rumors that De Bruyne had already agreed on personal terms with Al Ittihad, a Saudi Arabian club that has recently signed several high-profile players, including Karim Benzema, Fabinho, and N’Golo Kante.
The speculation around De Bruyne’s potential move to Al Ittihad had gained traction, but Guardiola’s statements made it clear that such a transfer was not on the cards for this summer.
De Bruyne’s journey with Manchester City began in the summer of 2015, when he joined the club and quickly established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Over the course of his time at City, he has been instrumental in the club’s success, contributing to the team’s dominance in English football and beyond.
His list of achievements with the club is extensive, having lifted 15 major trophies, including multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and League Cups, as well as playing a crucial role in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League victory.
As the upcoming season looms, the focus will be on whether De Bruyne can maintain his high level of performance and help City achieve even more success.
With his future still uncertain, the possibility of him leaving for the Middle East remains a topic of interest, but for now, De Bruyne remains committed to the City cause under Guardiola’s leadership.
The upcoming season will be crucial not only for Manchester City’s ambitions but also for De Bruyne’s future.
If he continues to perform at the peak of his abilities, it may prompt the club to make an even stronger effort to secure his services beyond the expiration of his current contract.
On the other hand, if an agreement on a new contract cannot be reached, the next summer could see the end of De Bruyne’s illustrious chapter at Manchester City, possibly paving the way for a new adventure in a different league.
For now, though, Manchester City fans can rest easy knowing that their midfield maestro is not going anywhere, at least for the upcoming season.
Guardiola’s reassurances have put to bed any immediate concerns, allowing the club to focus on their objectives for the season ahead.
