Pep Guardiola confident Kevin De Bruyne will remain at Manchester City

Belgian star, whose contract expires next in 2025, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne is reported to be considering a move away from England. AP

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has denied reports linking Kevin De Bruyne with a move away from the club amid speculation the star Belgian could move to Saudi Arabia.

De Bruyne, whose contract expires in 2025, said last month that he is not ruling out a move but Guardiola is confident there will be no major changes to the Premier League champions' squad before the end of the transfer window, which closes August 30.

Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad were said to be interested in the Belgian with De Bruyne admitting he has been discussing the future with his wife Michele.

But, speaking during Manchester City's pre-season tour in the US, Guardiola said: "Kevin isn't leaving.

"If someone leaves, we're going to talk about that. 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 per cent chance we will have the same squad.

"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."

Man City 2023-24 season ratings

MANCHESTER CITY 2023/24 season ratings: Blamed himself for not setting the team up correctly the morning after the cup final defeat in an overly self-critical way, but was otherwise near faultless through the season. Made English football history with four titles in a row in another campaign where City were pressed all the way by their rivals. EPA

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Limited number of appearances and minutes in all competitions this season, most from the bench. Getty Images

In June, De Bruyne told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws he was fond of the idea of a lucrative pay day in the latter stages of his career.

"For Michele, an exotic adventure is OK," he told the paper. "These are also conversations that we are having more and more as a family. I still have one year of contract, so I have to think about what can happen.

"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.

"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."

De Bruyne signed for Manchester City in the summer of 2015 and has won 15 major trophies.

Meanwhile, City signed 20-year-old Brazilian winger Savinho last week and Guardiola confirmed that Kalvin Phillips, who was on loan to West Ham United, has been training with the first team.

"Savinho can play on the wing, and when he is one-v-one, he is devastating," the Spaniard added.

"He is young and to bring in one or two players to keep things fresh, it is necessary but we cannot change six or seven. It is impossible and unsustainable.

"Many players want to come here but we didn’t get agreements from the clubs and when they ask a very high price we don’t do it."

Al Ittihad step up recruitment drive

While their pursuit of De Bruyne may well end in failure, Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad retain an interest in his City teammate Ederson, according to reports.

The goalkeeper, who has been at the Etihad Stadium since 2017, is thought to be open to a move to the SPL this summer.

Reports also suggest Aston Villa forward Moussa Diaby is likely to complete a move to Ittihad this week.

Diaby is expected to undergo his medical after agreeing a five-year deal in a transfer worth €60 million. The French winger only joined the Premier League club from Bayer Leverkusen 12 months ago.