Bernardo Silva has just reminded Man City of their top summer transfer priority

Last week, Pep Guardiola heralded Bernardo Silva as a player who could press three players in one minute - something the manager claimed no other player in world football can do.

Guardiola has been keen to praise Bernardo as 'unique' in world football, and integral to his Manchester City side. Other players, like Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez, have been singled out for criticism this season. Not Bernardo - although it helps he has been in ridiculously good form of late.

Maybe Guardiola is thinking of Bernardo's long-held stance that he would prefer a transfer away from the Etihad if possible.

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Bernardo asked to leave last summer and was heavily courted by Barcelona, but no bid was received so the midfielder stayed put. Just as Joao Cancelo left after presenting City with a good offer, if no such opportunity comes up, the player will stay at the Etihad. Bernardo knows the game, has played it himself, and there were no hard feelings in September when the transfer window closed.

Fast forward nine months and talk has predictably turned again to Bernardo's future. Barcelona still want him, but cannot afford him, so now Real Madrid are the side being strongly linked with a move. On paper, it would be a move that suited Bernardo - a big club, challenging for the Champions League, with world-class players around, and in a much better climate than North West England.

Asked about his future last week - around the same time Guardiola was singing his praises - Bernardo said: “It’s not the moment to talk about this. There’s three months left of the season and I’m very focused on Man City.

“Honestly it (the speculation) doesn’t affect