Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has stated that Bernardo Silva is a fan of Barcelona, thus may want to join before the end of the transfer window.
For Guardiola, Man City would still want to work with Silva as he has proven himself worthy.
According to him, should Silva decide to move, it would pose a huge challenge for City since the transfer window closes in a few days.
He however noted that his goal is to ensure all players with his side are happy, therefore, would not hinder Silva from moving should he decide to.
“We count on him and I do not want him to leave,” Guardiola said. “He is a superlative player in everything [he does]. But as I have always said: I do not want a player to be unhappy. If a good offer came, he wanted to leave and there was an agreement, we would see.
Although, if he left now, it would be a problem, because the market is about to close. With that said, Bernardo likes Barcelona very much,” he added.
Silva remains a key man for Guardiola’s Manchester City, excelling and scoring the equaliser in Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Newcastle United, yet he also continues to be linked to Barca.
CHAMPIONS ðŸ†@ManCity 💙 pic.twitter.com/M2noxAl8Hm
— Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) May 23, 2022
The Blaugrana have invested heavily in this window, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde among their eye-catching signings.
However, Barca coach Xavi is said to still be eager to add to his squad, with Silva seen as a potentially key capture.
City visited Camp Nou on Wednesday for a friendly another 3-3 draw and both Xavi and Guardiola were predictably asked to discuss Silva after the match.
“Who does not like Bernardo Silva? Just like De Bruyne or Haaland,” Xavi said. “But there is no news.
“He is a player that I love there are few like him but it already depends on City.”
The window will close next Thursday, with City’s incoming business seemingly done after adding Erling Haaland, Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips and Sergio Gomez to Guardiola’s squad, along with Julian Alvarez, who was signed in January.