Pep Guardiola: I think Bernardo Silva will stay at Manchester City

Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Pep Guardiola, with Juan Carlos Unzué, confirmed that Barcelona and Manchester City will play a friendly on August 24 to raise funds for ALS. 

ALS is a neurological disorder that has affected almost 4,000 people in Spain including former Barcelona coach Unzué. During the presentation, Laporta and Guardiola joked about Bernardo Silva. 

The Catalan side have been heavily linked with a move for Bernardo Silva in recent weeks, a transfer that will only be made possible if they manage to sell Frenkie de Jong.

Guardiola confirmed that he will have a full-strength squad against Barça on August 24. To this, Laporta enquired if Silva would be present for the friendly. Guardiola then replied in the affirmative that the Portuguese star would indeed be present in City colours. 

“Will Bernardo Silva also come with all the top players?” asked Joan Laporta.

“Yes, we will bring Bernardo Silva and ten more”, replied the City boss. 

The former Barcelona manager also confirmed that in his view Silva will stay at Manchester City beyond this summer. But, he also mentioned that he is open to parting ways with the midfielder should he decide to leave this summer. 

“I believe that Bernardo Silva will stay with us, but as I have always said since my time at Barça, I don’t want players who don’t want to be with us.”

GSFN