Ballon d'Or winner and Brazil legend Rivaldo has insisted that Manchester City should 'respect' Bernardo Silva's decision and agree to sell him to Barcelona. City boss Pep Guardiola has recently insisted that Silva will stay at the club this summer after previously refusing to rule out that the player could leave when asked about him at Camp Nou.
The Portugal international has been chased by Barcelona for the majority of the transfer window, while reports this week also claimed that Paris Saint-Germain had made a bid for the midfielder.
Guardiola started his pre-match press conference before the Crystal Palace game by saying that Bernardo would not be leaving - with the Spaniard making it clear that it would not be an option for the reigning Premier League champions to lose the star.
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However, Barcelona legend Rivaldo believes that City should allow the Portuguese international to leave the Etihad as he has 'earned the right to choose a new chapter in his career'.
"Bernardo Silva's future has been one of the soap operas of the summer, with Barcelona looking to sign him and the player wanting the move. Pep Guardiola loves the Portuguese player, however, and does not want him to leave," he told Betfair.
"The clubs have not reached an agreement yet, but City should respect the player's decision and seek an agreement with the Spanish club. Bernardo has been a great professional and has earned the right to choose a new chapter in his career if that's what he wants."
Guardiola and City have made no secret that they would need to sign a replacement for Bernardo should a team meet their asking price. However, with the club adamant that he is not for sale, there should be no need to go into the market for another solution.
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