Kevin De Bruyne says he’s STAYING at Manchester City despite confirming he had a ‘chat’ with Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo
- Kevin De Bruyne, 33, has been linked with a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia
- But the Belgian has said he will stay at Manchester City this summer
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Kevin De Bruyne has insisted he has never indicated he wants to leave Manchester City and is confident he will stay at the club this summer.
De Bruyne, who is currently in Germany with the Belgian national team during Euro 2024, has been linked with a possible move to Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old playmaker had a ‘discussion’ with Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo in December. However, De Bruyne has claimed their conversation was not about a potential transfer.
As quoted by The newspapaer On Monday, ahead of Belgium’s clash with France in the round of 16 of the European Championship, De Bruyne said: ‘Yes [I’ll stay at City]. I’ve read a lot of headlines about a transfer, but I haven’t spoken to anyone.
‘I saw him [Emenalo] at the Club World Cup. I know Michael, so it makes sense for us to talk. But that wasn’t the point.’
Man City star Kevin De Bruyne has said he will stay at the Etihad Stadium this summer
De Bruyne had a ‘conversation’ with Saudi Pro League director Michael Emenalo (photo) last year.
De Bruyne has just 12 months left on the contract he signed with City in April 2021, but he could still sign an extension.
Asked what his next move could be after City, he said: ‘It’s hard to say now. We will be sitting around the table in the coming months.’
He added: ‘I signed my contract at the right time. If there is a good offer and you tell Pep [Guardiola] that you want to leave, that is possible. This may be different at other clubs. But I never indicated that I wanted to leave.
‘I have more than enough money. But if an absurd amount comes… That is also for my family, my relatives, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren and my friends.’
De Bruyne missed much of the 2023/24 season due to a hamstring injury.
Despite playing in just 18 Premier League games, he scored four goals and provided ten assists to help City win a record fourth consecutive title.
De Bruyne is currently in Germany with the Belgian men’s national team for the UEFA Euro 2024
The 33-year-old trained on Sunday ahead of his country’s last-16 clash with France
His aim now is to deliver his country’s first major international title since 1920, when Belgium won gold at the Olympic Games on home soil.
De Bruyne has indicated he does not want Euro 2024 to be his final tournament with Belgium, despite some suggestions he could consider retiring at the end of the summer.
‘During international breaks at City we always get seven to 10 days off. That would be welcome for my family,” he admitted. ‘But I don’t have ten more years as a footballer. I have also been absent from the national team many times [due to injuries].
“I’ll say it… If I keep feeling good, I’ll probably be available. I just don’t know what next year will be like. There’s a crazy season coming up for City, with more games. It has to be physically and mentally doable.”