Pep Guardiola made a public statement over Bernardo Silva’s future recently, insisting the 27-year-old will stay at Manchester City despite interest from Barcelona.
Read Man City predicted Silva would remain at the Etihad Stadium next season, even if he was open to a move, because he’s too valuable to let go. Guardiola admitted exactly that with his comments on the transfer saga.
He said via The Times: “I think he will be with us (next season). I don’t want to have players who don’t want to be with us (but) Bernardo Silva is a very important player for us.”
It’s pretty clear what the City manager is saying – you’re too important to sell. Fernandinho has left the club following the expiration of his contract while Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling could be joining Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, so Guardiola can’t afford to lose his star midfielder too.
Despite wanting out last summer, Silva went on to score 13 goals and make seven assists from 50 games in all competitions. The Portuguese international had an outstanding campaign and seemingly laid to rest any intention of wanting to leave.
But this summer is going the same way as 2021 and interest from Barcelona got his attention. The Catalan giants don’t have the finances to match City’s £80m asking price – Barca overspent on players in recent years and now must sell before they can buy.
So City are in a strong position, especially with Silva having three more years left on his contract. Guardiola let Leroy Sane and Ferran Torres leave when they wanted out, and he’s given Jesus the green light, but he’s unwilling to lose Silva.
In other news, there’s an agreement reached as Man City close in on second summer signing