Pep Guardiola opens door for Bernardo Silva to join Barcelona

Pep Guardiola admits he would not stop Bernardo Silva from joining Barcelona if they can reach an agreement with Manchester City.

Barca have been targeting a move for Silva this summer but the club’s financial restrictions have prevented them from submitting an offer to the Premier League champions.

According to L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain are also in the running to sign the Portugal international and have submitted a €70 million (£59.1m) offer to City.

However, City are understood to be holding out for a fee closer to €90m (£76m).

Silva featured in the friendly between City and Barcelona at Camp Nou on Wednesday evening which ended in a 3-3 draw.

And when asked about Silva’s future after the game, Guardiola conceded that the midfielder would be keen on a move to Barca: ‘He is our player. We want him to be with us because he is very important.

‘Having said that, I don’t want anyone to be unhappy. But I don’t want him to leave because he is a superlative player.

‘As a player and as a person, he is one of the best I have ever had. In any competition he is the best player.

‘If an offer arrives there are seven days left and if Bernardo leaves we would have to go to the market and not it’s easy.

‘Having said that, Bernardo likes Barcelona a lot.’

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In the joint press conference, Xavi was also asked about Barca’s potential move for Silva.

‘Who doesn’t like Bernardo Silva? Or Haaland or De Bruyne?’ said Xavi.

‘Silva has great decision-making ability, he protects the ball very well, he’s very good. It depends on City.