‘Looks like he’s leaving’ – Man City fans react as Pep Guardiola fuels Bernardo Silva transfer talk

Plenty of Manchester City fans have reacted to Pep Guardiola’s comments refusing to rule out Bernardo Silva leaving the Etihad during this summer transfer window.

The Portugal international has been linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, though there has been no official bid from the Spanish side.

Guardiola has allowed Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to leave over the close season, but he does not want Silva to join the exodus.

However, the Spaniard knows that it is not just up to him.

“I said many times, my satisfaction training the guys was massive, it was really good. I was comfortable working with Oleks, Raheem, Gabriel, incredible characters that helped us achieve what we achieved,” Guardiola said at his press conference ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League.

“Sometimes for the club, sometimes for the players, sometimes for the agent, sometimes you have to divide our path.

“Especially the desire of the player is the most important thing. Of course I would love Bernardo to continue here, he is a special player for us. But I don’t know what is going to happen.

“What happens will happen and if he stays it is perfect and in the end if he has to leave it is because football is like this, the player has a desire, I will not be a person to stop a desire for the people.

“When you are a football player it is so short, you don’t realise and it is nearly over. The player will have to talk to the club and I have never ever been involved in that.

“I want the best for the player. I want Bernardo to stay here, 100%. He is an important player for me. He is special for me, I don’t know what is going to happen. Man City, as far as I know, we didn’t get an offer. Anything. Last season either.

“Bernardo is ready, training really well and he’s ready for Sunday. That’s it.”

Here is a selection of Man City supporters on Twitter reacting to this Guardiola’s comments:

“You’re telling me he might leave 😭”
Credit: @TheoJun20317579

“Looks like he’s leaving as Pep always said if a player wants to leave and he’s not happy there’s nothing he can do players come and go unfortunately 😢”
Credit: @Joe11572376

“It’s going to be a sad day once Bernardo leaves. Personally with Raz, Gabs, Zinny and Dinho gone. Adding Benardo too to that list can f**k up our team chemistry. Plus he runs and runs. We need that.”
Credit: @AtomiicMcfc

“I don’t know why we could let Silva leave when we don’t have enough time to find a substitute”
Credit: @m18058585

“Stop with the mentality “if a player wants to leave he can leave!!!!!” we’re about to start the new season we can’t lose anymore players and then not replace him”
Credit: @mcfcdez

“I love Bernardo to stay with us his whole career but he is not happy let him leave, we can’t force him to stay with us every year”
Credit: @Ahmed_Alvarez19

“Barcelona won’t be able to register 1 of the 5 players bought so far if Frenkie isn’t sold before registration deadline. Which means Barca must pay Frenkie his outstanding. So forget Bernardo Silva leaving for now. It won’t happen untill Barca clear up their mess.”
Credit: @thebigbrodas