Pep Guardiola wanted PSG to include wonderkid in Bernardo Silva swap deal this summer, he's a big fan

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reportedly wanted PSG to include one of world football's hottest prospects in any swap deal to sign Bernardo Silva this summer.

Bernardo signed a new three-year contract to stay at the Etihad Stadium in June, following City's treble-winning success.

But prior to the deal being signed, the Portuguese playmaker had courted interest from the likes of PSG and Barcelona.

Neither move would ultimately happen, with the 29-year-old deciding to remain at the club, but there is said to have been genuine concern at City that Bernardo was going to move on.

According to RMC Sport's Fabrice Hawkins, Guardiola was reluctant to allow one of his key players to depart City and join PSG.

But it is claimed that he would have been open to the move if Les Parisiens had allowed one of their wonderkids to move the other way as part of the deal.

That wonderkid is said to be midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, who has already established himself as a mainstay in the PSG starting XI at the age of just 17.

He was praised by none other than Arsenal legend Thierry Henry last month, while PSG boss Luis Enrique has described the France youngster as playing 'beyond his years' in central midfield - claiming he plays as if he is 37 years old.

English clubs have not been able to sign players under the age of 18 from European clubs post-Brexit, although there are strict criteria where an exemption to the rule could be granted.

Zaire-Emery's status as one of English football's top prospects would have made the current City side an even more terrifying proposition for other Premier League clubs, with Guardiola's side chasing a fifth consecutive league title.

They have so far kept up their 100 per cent record this term, although did need an injury time goal to beat Sheffield United and came from behind to defeat West Ham earlier this month.

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Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Bernardo Silva, Paris Saint-Germain, Transfers, Premier League

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.