Manchester City held £50 million Euro 2024 star on standby amid Kevin De Bruyne transfer uncertainty | OneFootball

A new report has detailed Manchester City’s contingency plans this summer with regards to Kevin De Bruyne and the previous uncertainty over the Belgian’s future.

The 33-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia as his next and potentially final step in his professional playing career, with his existing Etihad Stadium contract expiring at the end of the upcoming 2024/25 season.

However, Pep Guardiola has since confirmed that there will be no transfer for De Bruyne during the ongoing summer transfer window, with the Premier League champions eyeing contract talks with the Belgian next month.

In the meantime, Manchester City have seemingly been preparing for the worst behind the scenes and anticipating a desire from the Belgium captain to take up Saudi Arabia on any eye-watering proposal made.

And the latest report has pointed towards a talent from the Bundesliga as a name placed on ‘standby’ by Etihad bosses following his exemplary showings at the recent 2024 European Championships in Germany.

According to the information of GIVEMESPORT, City have had a move for RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo ‘on standby’ as contingency plans were made ahead of Kevin De Bruyne potentially leaving the club, prior to confirmation from Pep Guardiola that such a move will not happen.

The report explains that Manchester City officials have been ‘scouring the market’ due to being aware that they need to have a replacement lined up for whenever De Bruyne brings an end to an illustrious spell in Sky Blue.

City showed no interest in signing the attacking midfielder at the valuation of his £60 million release clause earlier this month, and club sources were keen to shut down reports claiming an intention to finalise a deal swiftly at one stage.

Dani Olmo is not the only midfielder whom Manchester City have rejected the chance to sign via a release clause, with the club staying clear of Bruno Guimaraes’ £100 million clause at Newcastle United last month.

As opposed to Olmo however, City have retained interest in Guimaraes and hold an intention to recruit the 26-year-old for around the £85 million mark, viewing the player as someone who could also act as a back-up to Rodrigo in defensive midfield.