Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola promised winger Bernardo Silva that he could leave the club.
The Portuguese talent, who can play in a number of positions across the midfield and attack, wants to leave City for a new challenge.
He was desperate to sign for Barcelona last summer but the two clubs could not find an agreement.
According to Duncan Castles of Reach PLC’S Transfer Window Podcast, Guardiola had a private meeting with Bernardo last summer.
He convinced Silva to give City one more season, while promising that he would be sold if a good offer arrived next summer.
“In the case of Bernardo, there is an additional element of leverage from the player’s side,” Castles said.
“He asked to leave Manchester City last summer and was given to go ahead assuming an appropriate offer came in.
“Barcelona were interested in signing him that summer but the deal didn’t happen.
“He then had a conversation with Pep Guardiola during that period I’m told in which Guardiola told him ‘if you give me another season, I will allow you to leave (in 2021).’
“Bernardo is not unhappy with Manchester City as a team even though his playing time declined last season.
“He has basically had enough of English football and the climate. He wants another league to play in.
“But he has the promise from Guardiola and his representatives are using that to secure him an exit.”
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