Pep Guardiola: 'I think Bernardo Silva will continue at Manchester City'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes playmaker Bernardo Silva will remain at the club this summer despite reported interest from Barcelona.

The 27-year-old Portugal international was a key cog in Guardiola's machine last season, scoring 13 goals and registering seven assists in 50 appearances across all competitions.

However, Silva's future at the Etihad Stadium has been questioned over the last 12 months, with the former Monaco man admitting last summer that he was keen to leave the club before opting to stay.

Silva has recently been linked with a move to Barcelona, with head coach Xavi believed to be an admirer of the £80m-rated playmaker, but Guardiola remains hopeful that he can stay put for next season.

Speaking to reporters, via journalist Reshad Rahman, Guardiola said: "As of today, in my opinion, I think Bernardo Silva will continue with us next season. Our goal, as a club, is for him to stay with us.

"This is our intention, although I don't like to keep players that are unhappy".

Silva's agent Jorge Mendes is understood to have held talks with Barcelona over a proposed move to Camp Nou, but the Catalan giants will only step up their pursuit of the playmaker if they agree to sell midfielder Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United.

The 70-cap Portugal international, who has three years remaining on his contract, has won 11 trophies during his five-year spell with Man City, including four Premier League titles.

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Source: SportsMole