Man City make big call on future of midfielder

Manchester City face German champions Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, just days after beating Japanese side Yakohoma F. Marinos 5-3. 

Striker Erling Haaland netted a hat-trick during City’s rout of their Japanese opponents, before manager Pep Guardiola declared that the Norway international is ‘fitter’ than he was last season.

City have only completed one signing so far this summer, with midfielder Mateo Kovacic joining from rivals Chelsea, while Ilkay Gundogan has departed to join Barcelona.

Now, though, it appears that City have made a big decision on the future of another key player.

As per 90min, City have told midfielder Bernardo Silva that they do not intend to sell him this summer despite the player being heavily linked with a move away from The Etihad.

Silva has been linked with a move away from Manchester City for several weeks now

Silva, 28, has played an instrumental role for Guardiola’s side since joining City from Monaco back in 2017, but he has been linked with an exit during each of the past three summer transfer windows and has told City that he wishes to leave once again this summer.

Despite that, the report claims that City are set to keep hold of the player and deny him his wish to leave.

The Portuguese made a total of 55 appearances across all competitions last season, taking his tally for the Citizens to 306.

He has also won no fewer than 14 trophies during his time in Manchester, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Silva is said to have little interest in an offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, but he would be willing to discuss a potential move to either Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, who have both shown an interest, the report claims.

Last summer, City told Silva to stay put for a further 12 months after the player requested permission to speak to other clubs, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will force his way out of the club this time around.