Manager says player wants to leave, reports claim Tottenham could get him in player-plus-cash deal

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Back in June, reports from The Athletic said that Manchester City star Bernardo Silva could be included in a deal for Tottenham man Harry Kane. Now, Pep Guardiola has told his press conference on Friday – as quoted by Manchester Evening News – that Silva wants to leave in the coming months.

Silva, 26, surpassed 200 appearances in all competitions for City towards the end of last season. The opinion of the 59-time Portugal international is that he is largely underrated at The Etihad – the workhorse between midfield and attack. In 45 games, he only score five goals last season.

But he is the man that keeps things ticking. However, following the arrival of Jack Grealish, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims Silva and a few others want to leave The Etihad. Reports from June state that he is one player that could be included in a deal that sees Kane go the other way.

“Not just Bernardo, there are two, three or four players that want to leave but they are our players under contract. When they bring some offers and their agents come here and they want to leave we are open to discuss absolutely everything but it depends on them,” Guardiola says.

“Otherwise, they will continue training really well, they will stay here and I will decide if they stay or don’t stay. The players who want to leave know the door is open because we don’t want anyone here unsatisfied but they have to bring someone. Otherwise, they will stay here.”

Bernardo would be brilliant for Tottenham – amid Guardiola claim

While the reports claim Tottenham could get him in a swap deal for Kane – surely Tottenham need to pursue Silva anyway? Still young at 26, he is a brilliant player that would take Spurs to the next level. A midfield three of Silva and Dele Alli ahead of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg would be very exciting.

The comments from Guardiola should have Fabio Paratici and Daniel Levy on red alert. A move to Tottenham would see Silva get regular game time – but also it would see Spurs return to the fight for a place in the top four. Silva cost City a fee of £43million (Sky Sports).