De Bruyne does not have £223m release clause, says Guardiola
PEP Guardiola has denied that Kevin de Bruyne has a £223m release clause in his Manchester City contract.
The City manager was quoted in an interview in Spain this week saying that the Belgium playmaker’s latest deal included a clause set at that figure.
But Guardiola claims his comments have been misunderstood and says he is not even sure De Bruyne’s contract contains a release clause.
The City boss said: “I don’t know what his release clause is. The journalist asked if we’d sell him for €250m and I said no. But that is my personal opinion. Here in England there are no release clauses. You have to negotiate with the club.”
Asked further if that meant no such clause existed, Guardiola said: “I don’t think so.”
De Bruyne, who joined City in 2015, signed a new five-year contract in January. The 27-year-old, City’s player of the year as they won the Premier League last season, is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
Guardiola, whose side host Fulham today, said: “He’s not fit, but he’s progressing well. The physios and doctors told me he’s getting well. Hopefully the terms of two and a half to three months is going well.”
City are also hoping to tie England international Raheem Sterling, who joined City in the same summer as De Bruyne, to a new deal.
Reports have claimed terms are still some way off being agreed, but Guardiola is prepared to be patient.
He said: “It’s well-known we’re delighted with him and would like that to continue. My club knows my opinion about that and we share that.”
Guardiola is expecting a difficult afternoon as unbeaten City resume their title defence against the promoted Cottagers, who have collected four points in their last two games.
He said: “I’m really impressed. I’m pretty sure they’ll have a good season.”