Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has dismissed rumors linking Kevin De Bruyne with a departure from the club amid speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia. De Bruyne, whose contract runs until 2025, recently mentioned he wouldn’t rule out a transfer, but Guardiola indicated there are unlikely to be major squad changes before the transfer window closes on August 30.
“Kevin is staying,” Guardiola asserted during a press conference at North Carolina State University ahead of their U.S. tour match against Celtic. “I am very happy with the squad we have had for many years. I’m not sure what will happen in the market; if someone leaves, then we will discuss it.”
Guardiola expressed confidence that the squad will remain largely intact, stating, “Between 85-95%, we will have the same squad. We have made an impact in the transfer market over the years, and each situation is unique. I am comfortable because the quality in our squad is hard to replace.”
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Last week, City signed 20-year-old Brazilian winger Savinho, and Guardiola confirmed that Kalvin Phillips, who was on loan at West Ham United, has been training with the first team. Guardiola praised Savinho’s abilities, noting, “He can play on the wing and is devastating in one-on-one situations.”
Looking ahead to the Premier League season, Guardiola emphasized the need for freshness in the squad, saying, “To bring in one or two players to keep things fresh is necessary, but we cannot change six or seven players. It’s impossible and unsustainable.”
Guardiola acknowledged the challenges of negotiating transfers, remarking, “Many players want to come here, but if we don’t reach agreements with their clubs or the asking price is too high, we won’t proceed.”
Manchester City will commence their Premier League title defense with an away match against Chelsea on August 18th.