Pep Guardiola has refused to rule out Bernardo Silva leaving Manchester City this summer, but has reiterated his desire for the midfielder to remain at the club.
Silva has been linked with an exit from the Premier League champions with Barcelona understood to be interested in a move for the Portugal international, who had been keen to leave City last summer.
The 27-year-old remained and starred during City’s title success last season, with Guardiola reiterating his wish for Silva to stay at the Etihad.
However, the Spaniard says it is ‘common sense’ to sell any player who wants to leave and discussed City’s decision to allow the likes of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to depart in search of a new challenge this summer.
“I want him to stay, definitely.” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference, ahead of City’s trip to face West Ham this weekend.
“But my answer was the same with different players last season. If a player wants to leave and the club has a good offer, it is common sense. It is nothing special; it is the reality. Bernardo is special, a important player, but I don’t know what will happen. As far as I know, we’ve not had an offer.
“I was so happy working with Oleksandr [Zinchenko], Raheem [Sterling] and Gabriel [Jesus]. They were three guys with fantastic character, but sometimes the move is better for many reasons and you have to divide our path.
“The players’ desire is most important, I want people to be happy here. I would love Bernardo to stay, he is a special player, but I don’t know what will happen.”
