Transfer Centre

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: 'Bernardo Silva will stay'

By Ben Sully | 26 August 2022

Man City boss Pep Guardiola: 'Bernardo will stay'

Pep Guardiola states that Bernardo Silva will "stay" at Manchester City despite being the centre of transfer speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that Bernardo Silva will "stay" at the club.

The Portugal international has been the centre of speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona in the current transfer window.

After drawing 3-3 with Barcelona in a midweek friendly to raise money for charity, Guardiola stated that Silva "likes Barcelona a lot."

The City boss told reporters: "I'm no one to tell Barca to forget about (signing) Bernardo. We want him to stay with us, but I don't want anyone who's not happy.

"The first thing would be for the clubs to come to an agreement, but there has been no offer for him in these last two years.

"I don't want him to go, he's a superlative player and a great person... and there are only seven or eight days left (in the window) and we would have to turn to the transfer market.

"I want him to stay. That said, it is true Bernardo likes Barcelona a lot."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on August 21, 2022 © Reuters

However, speaking to reporters ahead of Man City's home game against Crystal Palace, Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of Silva leaving in the current transfer window.

Guardiola said: "Bernardo Silva will stay at Man City, there are no negotiations. He will stay here. We don't have any phone call from any club regarding Bernardo Silva. That's why he will stay. I tell you, he will stay."

While the 28-year-old could feature in Saturday's Premier League encounter, there are doubts over Kalvin Phillips's fitness ahead of Bournemouth clash.

Guardiola refused to disclose if Phillips would be available for the weekend, saying: "We train this afternoon, and I will be able to see the fitness of everyone after that. For now, I cannot tell you."

After collecting seven points from their opening Premier League games, City will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against Palace on Saturday.