Pep Guardiola expressed his desire for Kevin De Bruyne to remain at Manchester City for the upcoming season but acknowledged the possibility that the midfielder might be enticed by a move to Saudi Arabia.
Despite having a contract with the Etihad Stadium until 2025, De Bruyne continues to be linked with a potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League (SPL).
There was interest in the 32-year-old last summer and he is back on the agenda for Saudi clubs ahead of the next window.
“It’s a question for him, I’d love for him to stay but I don’t know,” Guardiola said.
“I heard some links but I don’t know if there’s an offer, I don’t know if Saudi Arabia wants him. I would love for him to stay until the end of his career, but everyone is everyone.”
Guardiola, preparing his team for an FA Cup fifth-round clash against Luton Town on Wednesday, also commended Xabi Alonso, amid rumours linking the former Liverpool player with the managerial position at his former club.
Alonso previously played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich from 2014 to 2016. Since taking charge as Bayer Leverkusen manager in 2022, Alonso has steered the German side to the top of the Bundesliga table.
Asked how good a job Alonso is doing at Leverkusen, Guardiola replied, “Wow. The only team unbeaten in all competitions [this season], fighting all the way with Bayern Munich.
“Now they have the best time of the season, they cannot win the Bundesliga but they can lose the Bundesliga because everybody thinks it’s done. That’s the most difficult thing, it’s not done until it’s done.
“Not just the way they play, they didn’t lose one game in the Europa League, the Pokal [German Cup], or the Bundesliga. I was incredibly fortunate to have him. He was such an intelligent player. Such an intelligent player.”