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Man City star Bernardo Silva labelled a 'piece of s**t' by PSG icon over proposed transfer
Bernardo Silva has been heavily linked with an exit from Manchester City this summer.
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Former Paris Saint-Germain star Jerome Rothen has warned Manchester City star Bernardo Silva that he would be a ‘piece of s***’ if he heads to Ligue 1 purely for money. The playmaker has been heavily linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer, though the player has attempted to play down speculation.
Silva has been in flying form for City recently, thriving on the right-wing in Pep Guardiola’s 3-2-4-1 system. The Portugal international scored twice in his side’s 4-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid in the semi-final earlier this week.
City could face a battle to retain the service of the Silva this summer though, with several sides renewing their interest in the 30-year-old when the season draws to a close. Barcelona are desperate to acquire the services of the versatile playmaker, though PSG’s finances could see them become a more likely destination.
An offer in the region of £70million is expected to test the resolve of City, though Rothen believes that Silva should only head to the Parc des Princes if he is committed to their project rather than the finances they would be able to offer him. Speaking on his RMC Sport radio show, he said: “Bernardo Silva would be a piece of s*** if he came only for economic reasons and life environment.
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“I am sure that PSG will sign him because he is a star. Bernardo Silva plays for his teammates, he knows how to finish, he is intelligent. He really is the player who best reflects what Guardiola wants to put on the field. He has it all, this player has class.
“The president or the emir are not supposed to be concerned with building a team. They decide to sign names. They love Bernardo Silva, especially with the game he played on Wednesday. It is not a money problem for them. They don't want Bernardo Silva for collective construction.”
Given that a historic treble is in the works for City, it remains to be seen whether the prospect of remaining part of a remarkable squad capable of dominating European football could prompt Silva to dig his heels in at the Etihad.
If not, Guardiola will be forced to turn to Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez – both impressive replacements – to see if they can fit the mould on the right given that they both offer different attributes to Silva.