Guardiola wants Bernando Silva to stay at City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insists that the club have no plans to sell Portuguese versatile midfielder Bernardo Silva, amidst reported interest from Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona. Guardiola wants Bernardo as he sees the player to be an important member of his first team squad, and expects him to continue to pull the strings from midfield.

When asked if Bernardo Silva would be leaving, the City boss Guardiola would add: "110 per cent I want him to stay. I love him. I go weak when I talk about him and he knows how much we want him."

Since his arrival from Monaco in 2017, the Lisbon born 28-year-old has played 167 times for the club, scoring 29 games, and has since emerged as one of the club's most important players.

In a conversation with ESPN this week, the midfielder did suggest he was open to staying:  "I've always said that I'm happy here but I have no idea what's going to happen. We'll see, honestly. My relationship with the club is very honest. I've been open with them and they know what I want.

"If I stay, I'm very happy and I will always respect this club and give all my best. If not, it's football and we'll just see what happens."