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we need to talk about kevin
Guardiola hasn’t spoken with De Bruyne since star’s strop at being substituted, but tells Man City talisman to talk with him if he has a problem
MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola has told Kevin De Bruyne to come and speak to him if he has a problem as the rest of the stars arrived at training ahead of their clash with Wolves.
The Belgian midfielder was visibly disappointed at being hauled off before the hour during City's 9-0 win over Burton Albion and stormed straight down the tunnel with his head down.
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Guardiola is yet to give De Bruyne 90 minutes in his six appearances since he returned from his second serious knee injury and City were 5-0 up when the Belgian star was subbed off.
The City boss revealed De Bruyne's reaction was not the result of an injury but says he should knock on his door if he is unhappy.
Guardiola said: "I didn't speak with him so that one time I cannot say what he thinks because I don't know.
"If he has a problem, he knows where I am, so I don't know, really."
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De Bruyne, who is expected to return to the starting line-up for Monday's crunch clash against Wolves at the Etihad, has endured an injury-hit season.
City have also struggled in parts this season without Fernandinho, who was recently hailed by Graeme Souness as the best midfielder in the Premier League.
However, the Brazilian's age has meant Guardiola has been forced to look at the transfer market, with the Etihad chief a big fan of Wolves star Ruben Neves.
A defensive midfielder is top of Guardiola’s wish-list this summer with Frenkie de Jong, Tanguy Ndombele, Houssem Aouar and Declan Rice also in the frame.
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Pep did state that Manchester City will not be held to ransom over Wolves' Portuguese maestro after reports revealed Nuno Espirito Santo's side will demand £100million.
He said: “There are many clubs in the world, many holding midfielders in the world, and most can play here.
“That’s not the point — most of them are under contracts.
“A month ago, I started reading ‘Ruben Neves, £100m’. That’s not going to happen, we are not going to pay £100m for a holding midfielder.”
Guardiola has bought Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez in the last two windows but is unlikely to do any business this month.
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