Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City have not received any suitable offers for Bernardo Silva this summer.
For the second consecutive summer, Bernardo wants to leave City.
The 28-year-old midfielder is understood to be perfectly happy playing in Guardiola’s team – after all, last season the club finally got its hands on the Champions League trophy as part of a historic treble.
However, Bernardo – regarded by Guardiola as a ‘unique’ player – is said to be keen to take on a new challenge and lead a more Mediterranean lifestyle.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with the Portuguese star, and are understood to be his preferred destination.
Guardiola says City have received no bids
The transfer rumour mill might well be in full swing, but Guardiola confirmed City that have not received any offers for Bernardo.
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“I don’t want any players who don’t want to be here but I’m an employee. I want to work with guys who want to stay and work with staff and players, but we are yet to receive a proper offer,” the City boss told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal.
“If we don’t get a proper offer, he’s our player and we want him. If they want him, they will take a plane and come here and talk to our sporting director and CEO to make an agreement because three parts have to be there.
“For us to buy a player, just because we are Man City it is £10-15m more expensive than other clubs all the time. If people want our really really important players, first they have to make an offer – and that hasn’t happened. When it happens, we will fight to extend the contract and be with us. That has happened with all of our players since day one.
“When we lose those players we have to go to the market for the replacements and these players and they cost more than £50m. We need that money to reimburse on other players to make the team as strong as possible to defend the crowns that we won and win games for our people.”