LONDON: Pep Guardiola insists Kevin De Bruyne will not leave Manchester City this season after reports the Belgium star could move to Saudi Arabia.
De Bruyne has just one year left on his current City contract and the midfielder revealed recently he has spoken with his wife Michele about his future plans.
“For Michele an exotic adventure is OK,” De Bruyne said in a hint that he could end his successful spell at Premier League champions City.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad were believed to be interested in De Bruyne.
But UK press reports on Tuesday said City manager Guardiola had rejected any thought of the 33-year-old being allowed to walk away this season.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s friendly against Celtic in North Carolina, Guardiola told reporters “Kevin isn’t leaving.”
De Bruyne returned after missing the first half of last season due to injury and helped City make history with a fourth successive Premier League title.
He has been with City since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, winning 15 major trophies including six Premier League titles and one Champions League crown.
While Guardiola is adamant, his influential playmaker will stay at the Etihad Stadium this term, it remains to be seen if he can persuade the Belgian to remain in Manchester longer than that
“My eldest (child) is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play at City. Once the time comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way,” De Bruyne said in a recent interview.
“At my age, you have to be open to everything. You talk about unbelievable amounts in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.
“If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola claimed City would not make major changes to his squad before their Premier League season kicks off against Chelsea on August 18.
Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze has been linked with the champions, while City goalkeeper Ederson has potential offers from Saudi Arabia.
“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 percent chance we will have the same squad,” Guardiola said.
“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.
“If someone leaves, we’re going to talk about that.”
De Bruyne won’t be leaving Man City says Guardiola
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De Bruyne won’t be leaving Man City says Guardiola
Scotland Yard returns to action as JSCA Cup headlines weekend racing in Riyadh
RIYADH: Scotland Yard, winner of the 2025 Tuwaiq Cup, is set to make his seasonal debut when he tops a field of six runners for the Group 3 JSCA Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
The SR165,000 ($44,000) feature over 1,800 meters marks the return of the Nicolas Bachalard-trained six-year-old, who enjoyed a highly successful campaign last season. Ridden once again by champion jockey Adel Al-Fouraidi, the US-bred gelding won three of his four starts, highlighted by a dominant near six-length victory on Saudi Cup weekend.
Scotland Yard faces a competitive lineup, led by the Red Stable’s Wait To Excel, runner-up in recent domestic company and eighth in the Saudi Cup. The White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is represented by Electability, while Thamer Al-Daihani saddles Man Of The Night, with Ricardo Ferreira taking the ride.
Saturday’s supporting card features the SR150,000 Saeed Al-Majed Cup over 2,000 meters, where Lucas Gaitan’s Saudi Derby winner Al-Waqqad makes his third start of the season under Alexis Moreno. The four-year-old finished well back behind Scotland Yard in the Tuwaiq Cup last February but showed improved form when third behind Thundersquall and Wait To Excel in an open contest last month.
A large field of 15 has been declared for the SR130,000 Rashed bin A. Al-Zenaidy Award for three-year-olds over 1,200 meters. Attention is likely to focus on last season’s Sarawat Cup winner Karimi and Kawafill, who bids for a hat-trick after recent victories in Taif and Riyadh.
Friday’s action is headlined by the SR150,000 Ministry of Education Cup for juveniles over 1,400 meters, attracting 19 runners. The Red Stable fields Ela Al-Amam and Nayaad, with Ferreira aboard Ela Al-Amam, who remains unbeaten after two starts. The White Stable counters with Ma’aha Allah, twice runner-up from two appearances, and Taif debut winner Nasrak Allah.
The Friday card also includes three competitive turf races, beginning with a 1,200-meter open featuring Red Stable runner Zefzaf against French import Cacofonix. Zefzaf enjoyed a breakout season last year, winning three times and finishing second in the Turf Sprint Qualifier, and now takes on Cacofonix, a former European Listed winner recently acquired by the White Stable.
Cacofonix, a three-time winner from nine starts, was last seen finishing sixth in Group 3 company in August and changed hands for €460,000 ($543,000) in October. Later on the card, Maylan — who defeated Zefzaf in the Turf Sprint Qualifier — heads a full field in the 1,351-meter open, before attention turns to the 2,100-meter contest featuring Bolide Porto. The White Stable runner finished third on his recent return and previously held his own in the upgraded Group 1 Howden Neom Turf Cup.
Racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse continues to gather momentum as the domestic season builds toward its marquee events.
