Pep Guardiola reacts to Barcelona’s move for Man City star Bernardo Silva | Soccer

The Portuguese playmaker is a target for Barcelona manager Xavi, who has identified the midfielder as a replacement for Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.

Silva is said to be open to a move to the Camp Nou but Guardiola would like to keep the midfielder, especially with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling likely to leave the club.

But despite Guardiola insisting he wants Silva to stay, he admitted today he will not force any ‘unlucky’ players to stay at the Etihad.

“To this day I think Bernardo Silva will stay at Manchester City next season. Our goal as a club is for him to stay with us,” said Guardiola.

“That’s our intention, although I don’t like to keep unlucky players at City.”

Barcelona are set to play City in a friendly in August and Guardiola says Silva will be part of his squad for the game.

The Catalans are struggling financially and need to sell before they can buy this summer.

Still, Xavi remains keen on Silva and Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski.

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