Pep Guardiola issues major update on Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City future amid Saudi Arabia transfer talk | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has issued a major update on the future of Kevin De Bruyne during his first press conference of pre-season.

The Premier League champions are gearing up for their first warm-up match of the 2024/25 campaign, as they take on Scottish Premier League champions Celtic at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina this week.

Guardiola and his coaching staff are joined by a predominantly young squad in the United States, complimented by Manchester City’s players who did not feature at the European Championships or Copa America, including Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.

One player who is not present with the squad and is not due to return to training ground duties until early August is vice-captain Kevin De Bruyne, following his work for Belgium at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Despite enjoying his time away from football on a family holiday in Ibiza, speculation and gossip has continued to circle around the future of the Belgian and particularly the prospect of transfer interest from Saudi Arabia.

Reports in the last few days went as far as to claim that the 33-year-old had already agreed personal terms with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, before the suggestion was immediately shut down by reporters closer to the club.

Now, speaking during his opening press conference of Manchester City’s pre-season tour in the United States this month, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on the future of Kevin De Bruyne amid recent speculation in European media.

“No, Kevin (De Bruyne) is not leaving,” Guardiola responded clearly on the subject of the Belgian’s club future.

De Bruyne is expected to return to Manchester City training at the City Football Academy on August 5, as Pep Guardiola and his squad return from the United States to finalise preparations for the FA Community Shield meeting with Manchester United.

At this stage, it remains to be seen how many of Manchester City’s more senior first-team players, including De Bruyne, will be match-fit and available to feature from the start against Erik ten Hag’s side at Wembley Stadium.

Some players who featured at major tournaments over the summer will be catching up with the squad Stateside, with it already announced that Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol will meet up in New York City ahead of the second pre-season clash against AC Milan.