Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent a major blow to Barcelona's hopes of signing Bernardo Silva in the summer following recent reports linking the playmaker with a move to the Camp Nou.
After staying put at the Etihad Stadium despite expressing a desire for a new challenge last summer, Silva was one of City's best performers in another Premier League winning campaign for the Blues.
The Etihad outfit secured the arrival of the Portugal international for £43 million from AS Monaco in 2017 as a key signing in the squad revamp under Pep Guardiola.
Advert
During his time at the Etihad Stadium, the 27-year-old has been a focal part of Guardiola's midfield and his versatility has allowed him to operate across the frontline and down the middle in Manchester City's false nine system that worked wonders for a large part of the previous campaign.
Whilst there are three years left on his contract, there remains interest in Bernardo Silva ahead of the summer transfer window but after another stellar season in Manchester where he claimed his fourth Premier League title, it remains unlikely at present that Silva will look to leave in the summer.
Speaking to the Spanish press on Monday afternoon, Guardiola was asked for his thoughts on Barcelona's pursuit of Bernardo Silva, to which he said: "They will have a difficult time," as quoted by Reshad Rahman.
Advert
Silva amassed 50 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City last term, scoring 13 times and setting up seven goals as the Blues retained their league crown for the second time under Pep Guardiola.
The Portuguese was heavily linked with a sensational switch to Real Madrid a few months ago in February before sources revealed the La Liga champions were not interested in the midfielder.
With uncertainty looming over Ilkay Gundogan's future at City, Guardiola will be keen to keep hold of a player whom he stated in 2018 would remain with him throughout this tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
Advert
After a slow start to life at the club, Silva was City's best player in their 2018/19 domestic treble winning campaign before a disappointing, COVID-19 struck season - following which he was keen to depart City and move closer to his homeland amid interest from Barcelona.
However, the financial restraints of the global pandemic as well as Guardiola's desire to have Silva amongst his ranks at Manchester City meant the Lisbon-born midfielder stayed put and helped his side reclaim the Premier League title from Liverpool in 2021.
Silva's importance to the City squad was evident throughout City's run to the league title last term as well as their run to the Champions League semi-final, where a late collapse against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu saw the Blues crash out of Europe in agonising fashion.
Topics: Bernardo Silva, Manchester City, Barcelona, Pep Guardiola
Vayam Lahoti