LOS ANGELES -- Kevin De Bruyne has defended Manchester City's spending saying they needed to buy the best to compete.
City have spent close to £200 million this summer in a huge overhaul of the squad after failing to win any silverware in Pep Guardiola's first season at the club.
Belgium international De Bruyne admits the figures being paid are extraordinary but says that all top clubs are required to spend heavily in the current transfer market for top players.
"It's how the market goes. There's a lot of money [going out] but there's a lot of money going in," De Bruyne told reporters after City's 4-1 win over Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup.
"Who can say that spending £200m is normal? It isn't. But how the league and football is going at the moment, it's normal prices.
"Obviously it's a lot of money but it's things that we needed to do. The revenue that the club gets in will be more than the £200m."
New signings Danilo, Kyle Walker and Ederson all started the win over Champions League winners Real at the L.A. Coliseum.
It was a strong performance and while Guardiola says not too much should be written into the result, De Bruyne was encouraged by the improvement after their first preseason game -- a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in Houston.
"I think we looked sharper than we did against United," he added. "That is normal. We had six more days' preparation so the team is doing better. Everybody looked sharp.
"We defended really well as a team and in the second half we converted our chances."
De Bruyne provided assists for two of City's goals and drew high praise from manager Guardiola after the game.
"Since I arrived I think Kevin, when his mood is optimistic, he's happy, quite well, he makes performances like this," the City boss said.
"It is difficult to find a player with his qualities, he runs and fights and moves and helps teammates. It is not easy to find all around the world.
"He will fight, pass assist and many things. Hopefully he can be stable in that way. When his mood is positive like in the last three weeks, he is able to do whatever he wants."