Pep Guardiola uncertain on Bernardo Silva’s Man City future amid Barcelona transfer links

Pep Guardiola has admitted Bernardo Silva could still leave Manchester City this summer.

The Portugal midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona throughout the market, despite the Catalan club’s financial issues.

It’s been a summer defined by high-profile departures at City, with Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fernandinho leaving.

Speaking ahead of the Premier League opener against West Ham United, the City manager failed to rule out the possibility of Silva adding to that list in the coming weeks.

“Sometimes part for the club, part for the players, part for the agent, sometimes you have to divide our path,” Guardiola told reporters.

“Especially the player’s desire. That is most important thing. I want players to be happy here, to be here and try and to do it together. Of course I would love Bernardo to stay here, he is a special player for us.

“I don’t know what is going to happen. What is going to happen, is going to happen, and if he stays it is perfect. If in the end he has to leave, football is like this. If the clubs are in agreement and the player has desires, I would not be the person to stop the desire of the people.

“When you are a football player it is so short, you do not realise it. I don’t want to [stop] the desire of the players. But I am just a small part of the club.”

However, Guardiola revealed in a follow-up questions that City are yet to receive an offer for the City No.20 this summer.

“I don’t think so, I didn’t say that,” the 51-year-old responded when asked if the previous answer could be interpreted that Silva is set to leave.

“The answer I gave was the same as last season when you asked about a player. I want the best for the players, I want Bernardo to stay, definitely.

“But, at the same time, if the offer is there and you have an agreement, it is common sense. This is the reality. He is an important player, a special player, but I don’t know what is going to happen.

“Man City, as far as I know, we didn’t get an offer; last season neither. This is what I can say. Bernardo is happy, training really well and ready for Sunday.”