Manchester City would be intending to keep some of the biggest difference-makers in their squad once again this summer.
Since their takeover in 2008, City have managed not to lose some of their biggest names to other top clubs across Europe.
Often, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich seem to have such a draw that players tend to depart massive clubs just to play for them at the peak of their powers.
However, Manchester City managed to build a project that meant stalwarts like Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Vincent Kompany to name a few felt it was best to keep playing at the Etihad Stadium.
Aside from the Sky Blues’ incredible ambition, brilliant recruitment strategy and how excellently they have been run from top to bottom, their knack of keeping players seemingly happy and motivated to remain at the club is what has led to their success.
If other European juggernauts were able to poach some of their biggest names, perhaps the club would have constantly been interrupted in their pursuit for greatness.
Thankfully for the likes of Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola, their attempts to win silverware at Manchester City were not disrupted by having to constantly sell their best players.
However, that has not been the case so far and City will try to ensure they create an ideal work environment season after season.
Journalist reveals transfer update about Al-Ittihad’s move for Man City legend
But nowadays, the Saudi Pro League seem to have confidence in their project to attract top players across Europe.
Players seem to reciprocate such a feeling — with a report in June claiming that sources close to Ederson Moraes expected him to make a move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Pep Guardiola admitted that if Ederson asks him to leave City, he will be unable to stop him from attaining his reported objective.
While Kevin De Bruyne was also earlier linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, it has now been claimed by journalist Rudy Galetti that Al-Ittihad have “decided to withdraw from the race” for his signature.
Laurent Blanc’s side consider Manchester City’s fee demands for the £54.5 million man “too high” — especially considering the 33-year-old has one year left on his contract.
With Al-Ittihad having signed Houssem Aouar this summer, the club are believed to be internally satisfied with the make-up of their midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne did not seem like he was set for Man City exit
Earlier this week, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City informed him they were yet to receive an offer for De Bruyne. As a result, the Catalan tactician revealed he felt confident in revealing earlier that the Belgian midfielder would stay at City next season.
At the start of last month, De Bruyne confirmed he would stay at City during the 2024/2025 campaign.
Over a week ago, the midfield maestro’s public declaration about staying at the club made Manchester City feel confident their vice-captain would not go back on his word.
Due to the aforementioned factors, it has not seemed for a while that De Bruyne was set to leave Manchester City in favour of a move to the Saudi Pro League or elsewhere.
The treble-winner will be focusing on being as sharp as possible ahead of the upcoming campaign so he can help his team triumph on multiple fronts; especially considering he has the chance to become only the fifth player to win seven or more Premier League titles after Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Denis Irwin now.
