Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that he believes Bernardo Silva will remain at the club beyond this summer.
Silva is towards the top of Barcelona’s transfer wish list but the Blaugrana’s well-known financial struggles present a massive obstacle to this deal, with City prepared to demand a huge fee for a player who is among the finest in his position and still has three years left on his contract.
With the two clubs already going head-to-head off the pitch, it was revealed on Monday that they will also butt heads in a charity friendly later in August at Camp Nou, and Guardiola appeared at a press conference to discuss the event.
“We will bring all our top players to Barcelona,” Guardiola said.
“Even Bernardo?” Barcelona president Joan Laporta added with a smile on his face, to which Guardiola responded: “Bernardo Silva and ten more!”
Later, Guardiola was pressed for a serious response on the Silva speculation.
“I think Bernardo Silva will stay with us, that’s my feeling as of today,” he said.
“We don’t know what will happen in the transfer window and we have always said that we want players that want to be in our club.
“But we really appreciate Bernardo and count on him for next season.”
