Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says FC Barcelona will struggle to achieve their goal of signing Bernardo Silva.
Silva has been linked with Barca for the last two seasons and the La Liga giants have made no secret of their interest in his services.
The 27-year-old briefly fell out of favour under Guardiola last season but made a barnstorming return to the first-team this season, earning a nomination for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for his stellar performances.
He admitted to being homesick last season and frustrated by the lack of regular game-time but is reportedly much happier these days as the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions have allowed to be closer to his family. Meanwhile, he got engaged to his long-term girlfriend last week.
And Guardiola said simply about Barca’s chances of signing Silva: “They will have a difficult time.”
In addition to his comments on the Portuguese star, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola backs Barcelona to get back to being a top club challenging for the big trophies again in ‘a year or two’.
In recent years, Barcelona have struggled financially but since the appointment of new coach and club legend Xavi Hernandez things have improved somewhat and they were able to finish the La Liga campaign in second spot on the log, a massive 13 points behind champions Real Madrid.
In an interview, Guardiola says Xavi is going a decent job at the Catalans and that if fans are patient Barca’s glory days will be back very soon.
“It’s always tough when you can’t do big things but you have to be calm,” Guardiola said. “There are moments in history when you have to accept that the situation is what it is. Sometimes, assuming a lower profile can help you to grow faster.
“The economic situation is what it is. I’m not talking about the quality of the coaches, managers or players. The perception I have is that they are all good, but sometimes, you just have to be calm. It will take a year or two and it won’t be easy without being able to make great signings.
“Now the situation is what it is, they have to accept who they are and just try to win the next game and the next. But you have to accept that the situation is what it is.
“It’s not what you want and it’ll hurt, but success will end up coming.”
Guardiola added that thanks to all the youth in their squad Barcelona’s future looked very promising.
“[Gavi] is fantastic, just like Ansu [Fati] or Pedri,” he continued.
“They show that there is a bright future and some really good work in La Masia.”