Pep Guardiola gives transfer update on three Man City players following Arsenal loss

Pep Guardiola was asked about the future of three Manchester City players after Sunday’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal.

Missed penalties from Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri proved costly for City for at Wembley, with Mikel Arteta’s side winning 4-1 via spot kicks, in the top-flight's traditional. The Blues had looked set to win the game in regular time, but a 111th minute equaliser from Leandro Trossard prevented gave Arsenal a reprieve , with Cole Palmer opening the scoring from an excellent curled strike shortly before.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move away from City this summer, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley mooted as potential loan opportunities. However, Guardiola said he would be happy for Palmer to remain with the squad this season.

“Tomorrow he is going to train with us,” the City boss said after the match. “We have a lot of confidence with him and we appreciate him a lot. I know he wants to play and last season didn’t play much. The agent has to talk with the club and if he wants to stay we are more than pleased, if he wants to leave, I don’t know. We’ll find a solution for him because he is a top player.”

While Palmer played a big role on Sunday, Joao Cancelo wasn’t involved at all. The defender has been linked with a switch to Barcelona, and Guardiola gave a vague response when asked why the Portugal international wasn’t part of City’s squad. “He has to go home to the family and was not here,” explained Guardiola.

Meanwhile, the Catalan was spotted having dinner with Kyle Walker on Friday night, just hours after telling reporters he wants the City no.2 to stay at the club and turned down interest from Bayern Munich.

“I am so disappointed that I should pay, he didn’t pay me,” Guardiola joked after the loss to Arsenal. “That is not nice. I was for a long time we were looking forward to dinner together. Sometimes I do it with some players and it was nice. 

“Seven years together here and working. He is so important player for us and hopefully he can stay. At the end we have one more [year] on his contract. It is not the end of his contract and if someone wants him they have to talk to the club as is the case for Bernardo [Silva]. We want him to stay because he is so important for us.”