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Manchester City former captain Fernandinho has claimed Pep Guardiola blocked the signing of Kevin De Bruyne as part of a cunning plan.
De Bruyne signed for City in a £54 million switch from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after producing a stunning campaign where he scored 16 times and laid on 28 assists.
Guardiola was Bayern Munich manager at the time and saw De Bruyne's ability in the flesh when he tore his side apart in a 4-1 hammering at Volkswagen Arena.
They were heavily linked with the Belgium international prior to City winning the race for his signature.
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Yet according to City legend Fernandinho, Guardiola blocked Bayern from signing and said he didn't think he suited their way of playing.
Yet a year later and Guardiola left Bayern to replace Manuel Pellegrini in the City hotseat, with De Bruyne immediately becoming an integral part of his team.
“He [Pep Guardiola] was at Bayern and [Kevin] De Bruyne was at Wolfsburg," Fernandinho said on the Denilson Show.
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"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.
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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.
However, De Bruyne turned it down and is believed to prefer a move to the MLS when retirement looms.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho
Josh Lawless