Guardiola would 'love' Silva to stay at Man City

Bernardo Silva has made 450 appearances since joining Manchester City from Monaco in 2017 Pep Guardiola would "love" captain Bernardo Silva to "finish his career" at Manchester City but says it is up to the player to make the decision on whether he stays or leaves the club. Last week, City assistant Pep Lijnders hinted Silva's nine-year spell at the club will end this summer, saying "every good story comes to an end". The 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and he has been linked with a move to La Liga leaders Barcelona, Serie A side Juventus and teams in Major League Soccer.

But Guardiola suggested hope of Silva staying at the club was not lost as the Portugal international has yet to communicate a decision over his future. "I'm so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said, 'if you take a decision I have to be the first to [know]', and he didn't say anything to me yet," said Guardiola. "I think the proper one must be Bernardo, I don't know if he has already decided.

I said, jokingly, 'tell me I deserve it', but he didn't tell me so I don't know what's going on. " How do Man City replace captain Silva if he leaves? Lijnders made the comments after City's 4-0 FA quarter-final win against Liverpool last weekend, with Guardiola unable to fulfil media duties as he was serving a touchline ban.

"You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don't exist," said Lijnders. "But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months - there are only six weeks - and has a good farewell. " Silva, a 2017 signing from French club Monaco, made his 450th appearance for City in the EFL Cup final success over Arsenal last month.