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Pep Guardiola determined to keep Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva at Manchester City

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 04 August 2023

Guardiola determined to keep Walker, Bernardo at Man City

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola says that his side will "do everything" in a bid to keep Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva this summer.

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has said that his side will "do everything" in a bid to keep Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva at the club beyond the end of this summer's transfer window.

Walker is currently being heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich, with the 33-year-old's contract at the Etihad Stadium due to expire next summer.

Bernardo, meanwhile, is believed to be determined to force through a move to Barcelona, with the Portugal international wanting to leave the treble winners for personal reasons.

However, speaking ahead of Sunday's Community Shield against Arsenal, Guardiola confirmed his desire to keep hold of the first-team duo for the upcoming season.

"Kyle and Bernardo what can I say? They are so important for us," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker celebrates after winning the Champions League on June 10, 2023 © Reuters

"We are going to do everything. We want him to stay, we will do everything. To replace these players is so so difficult.

"We lost two incredible players for us, [Ilkay] Gundogan and Riyad [Mahrez] was massively important in the last two seasons, goals, assists and personality on the big occasions and important games.

"To lose Kyle and Bernardo would be so difficult. That's why we are going to do everything to keep them because they want to be here."

However, Guardiola admitted that Man City would be open to selling any players who wanted to leave, providing that the club received "a proper offer".

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates after winning the Champions League on June 10, 2023 © Reuters

"I want to work with guys who want to stay. [If they don't], we have to get a proper offer [for them]," the head coach added on Friday.

"If we don't get a proper offer, he's [Silva] our player and we want him. If they [Barcelona] want him, they will take a plane and come here and talk to our sporting director and CEO to make an agreement.

"For us to buy a player, just because we are Man City it is £10-15m more expensive than other clubs all the time. If people want our really really important players, first they have to make an offer - and that hasn't happened.

"When it happens, we will fight to extend the contract and [have them] be with us. That has happened with all of our players since day one."

Man City have only made one signing this summer, bringing in Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, but Josko Gvardiol is on the verge of joining the Premier League champions in a big-money deal from RB Leipzig.