Manchester City have no interest in selling Bernardo Silva and have already rejected two offers from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
That’s come from Fabrizio Romano, with the Portuguese star’s future continuing to look certain.
City will begin their 2023/24 season in earnest on Sunday when they take on Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley.
Five days later they will begin their Premier League title defence by making the short trip to Turf Moor to face Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
Yet despite completing pre-season with Pep Guardiola’s side, City fans still don’t know whether or not Bernardo will be wearing sky blue next season.
City have rejected offers
As was the case last summer, the 29-year-old has informed City of his interest in leaving the club.
While Bernardo is understood to be happy playing in Guardiola’s team, he desires a change in lifestyle and a new sporting challenge.
City have set a precedent of allowing players to leave should they attract a suitable offer.
That was the case with Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.
However, the treble winners are desperate to keep Bernardo, and in any case, they have not received any offers that match their value of the player.
According to Romano, PSG, one of the clubs interested in Bernardo, has already had two offers for Bernardo rejected by City this summer.
“PSG had many contacts for Bernardo Silva, Man City say no many times,” Romano said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“And Man City keep this position also now after many rumours about Barcelona. From Manchester the message is very clear.”
While PSG might give up on their dream signing, Romano doesn’t believe Barcelona will.
“What’s going to happen is that Barcelona, for sure, want to try for Bernardo Silva. They love Bernardo. Joan Laporta the president, Xavi, all the people at Barca love Bernardo.
“As of today, Manchester City don’t have an intention to negotiate. City are prepared to offer Bernardo a new contract.”
MCN view: City must be firm
City’s usual stance on allowing players to leave is admirable, but they cannot afford to lose Bernardo so close to the start of the new season.
Losing Ilkay Gundogan is bad enough, and having to replace another key midfielder could wreck Guardiola’s plans for the season.
Bernardo’s contract runs until 2025. If he didn’t want to stay until then then he should not have signed it.
