Manchester City former captain Fernandinho has claimed Pep Guardiola blocked the signing of Kevin De Bruyne as part of a cunning plan.
After scoring 16 goals and providing 28 assists in a remarkable season, De Bruyne attracted the attention of several top clubs. He left Wolfsburg and joined City for £54 million.
Guardiola, who was then the manager of Bayern Munich, had witnessed De Bruyne’s talent first-hand when his team suffered a 4-1 defeat at Volkswagen Arena. However, he reportedly prevented Bayern from pursuing the Belgian star, claiming he did not fit their style of play.
A year later, Guardiola took over as City’s manager and inherited De Bruyne as one of his key players.
“He [Pep Guardiola] was at Bayern and [Kevin] De Bruyne was at Wolfsburg,” Fernandinho said on the Denilson Show.
“Bayern’s scouting department says ‘We’re looking at this boy, what do you think about bringing him here?’ And Pep, ‘No, no, no, I don’t want him, I don’t think he’ll fit into our team.’
“The year passes, De Bruyne goes to Man City. Another year passes, Guardiola arrives at City. Did you understand? The guy knew he was going to City and sent De Bruyne there.”
After it was confirmed he would be leaving Bayern, Guardiola was announced as the new City manager in February 2016 and after a first season which ended trophyless, has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups and one Champions League.
De Bruyne has grown into one of the very best players in world football under the Catalan, with 98 goals and 165 assists in 369 appearances in all competitions.
He has been named as a top target for the Saudi Pro League, with some reports claiming he was offered a substantial pay packet last summer.