- Pep Guardiola shuts down talk of Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City
- Reports suggested that the veteran Belgian had agreed terms with Al-Ittihad
Pep Guardiola confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne isn’t leaving Manchester City for Saudi Arabia while insisting the Premier League champions are not planning a raft of summer signings.
De Bruyne has been a target of Saudi Pro League sides this year and Al-Ittihad were said to be pressing ahead with securing the Belgian’s signature.
But Guardiola shut down suggestions of a switch for the 33-year-old with a season left on his deal, with City unlikely to make many additions beyond the £33million capture of Brazilian winger Savinho.
‘Kevin isn’t leaving,’ Guardiola said before adding on the squad: ‘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.
Kevin De Bruyne (right) has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia
‘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.’
Guardiola, who has revelled in the recharging of his batteries over the summer which took him to Wimbledon, has been particularly impressed with James McAtee during City’s first training sessions out in the United States.
McAtee has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United and Guardiola has seen major growth in his development.
‘I’m curious to see Macca especially, I have a high opinion of him,’ Guardiola added. ‘I’d like him to insert himself properly with the team.
‘I’d love to keep him next season, he’s a special guy to play in the small spaces, in the pockets. He grew up in terms of physicality in the Premier League with a team fighting against relegation, you get something special.’
Pep Guardiola was recently pictured at Wimbledon as he enjoyed his time off
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