Pep Guardiola would prefer any disgruntled Manchester City players to leave the club this summer.
The City boss was asked about Bernardo Silva’s future, with the midfielder once again strongly linked with a move to Barcelona after a stellar campaign. Should Frenkie de Jong leave the La Liga side in the coming weeks, Silva would likely be top of the shortlist as a replacement.
The 27-year-old won City’s Player of the Month award in September, October and November, making him the first player in the club’s history to win the award three times in a row.
While Guardiola believes Silva is happy at the Etihad, he does not want to keep players at City against their will.
“As of today, I think Bernardo will continue at Man City next season but as I always said, I don’t like to keep players that are unhappy,” Guardiola said.
“But Bernardo is important and I think he will stay.”
Guardiola was speaking in Spain as it was announced Barcelona and Manchester City will play a charity match at the Nou Camp on August 24 fundraising for ALS, a rare illness that former Barcelona goalkeeper and assistant coach Juan Carlos Unzue was diagnosed with two years ago.
In response to Guardiola stating that City will bring “everyone” for the match, Barcelona president Joan Laporte jokingly asked if that would include Silva.
“Bernardo Silva… and 10 more,” was the answer from the City boss.
