Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano offers definitive answer on Bernardo Silva future

Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano has offered a seemingly definitive answer on the future of Bernardo Silva.

The Portugal international has been at the centre of a summer-long transfer saga.

With reports speculating that Bernardo Silva had remained set on a move away from Manchester City this summer, links to Barcelona immediately arose.

The La Liga giants - despite their crippling financial situation - have been keen on Pep Guardiola's midfield star.

However, there have been significant differences between valuations, with the Premier League champions eyeing a fee in the region of €100 million in order to sanction a sale.

Camp Nou officials on the other hand have been looking for a deal closer to the €60 million mark.

With no deal forthcoming, and no offer close to Manchester City's valuation expected, there is a feeling now that Bernardo Silva will remain at the Etihad Stadium this season.

That is also the stance taken by the club's CEO, Ferran Soriano, who has offered a short but definitive answer to Spanish press on Monday night.

When approached for comment by El Chiringuito's Jose Alvarez in Girona this evening, Soriano responded on the subject of Bernardo Silva's future.

The Manchester City chief said, "Of course, Bernardo Silva stays."

Bernardo Silva and the rest of the Manchester City are this week in Girona.

The Premier League giants are in Spain for a charity friendly against FC Barcelona on Wednesday night, after making the trip directly from the English top-flight clash against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

While the game at St. James' Park will almost certainly have exerted every ounce of energy from the squad, there was no time to rest following the 3-3 draw.

City are based in Girona for the week, but will make the short trip to the Camp Nou on Tuesday night.

The expectation is that City will then return to Manchester on Thursday ahead of the weekend's match against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Although Manchester City remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season, they will be wanting to get back to winning ways at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.