Kevin De Bruyne expects Bernardo Silva to remain part of the Manchester City squad this season as they gear up for another potential title race with Liverpool.
The Reds and City have gone head-to-head on numerous occasions in recent years and Jurgen Klopp's side were pipped to the prize by just a single point in the previous campaign. This time around it's expected to be no different, but the two squads have had a bit of a shake-up in the off-season.
Liverpool saw Sadio Mane depart after six years on Merseyside, while they also brought in striker Darwin Nunez and youngsters Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay. At City, they've waved goodbye to Fernandinho, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, but welcomed Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Julian Alvarez through the door.
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Another City star linked with a move away this summer is Silva, who has been the subject of intense interest from Barcelona. Reports in Spain this summer suggest the La Liga giants are pursuing a move, despite their financial struggles.
Sport claim Barcelona have been 'in contact' with the player and even go as far as saying there's a pre-contract agreement in place. Manager Pep Guardiola also threw his future into doubt, admitting while he wants him to stay at the club, he isn't sure what is going to happen.
De Bruyne, however, expects the Portuguese international to remain at the Etihad for the rest of the campaign.
"I think he's very loved (by us) and he knows," the midfielder told the Manchester Evening News. "The way that I see it, I think that he will be here so there's nothing that I'm worried about. Whatever happens he is great for us and I expect him to be here with us this year."
Silva would represent a huge loss for City if he is to go this summer, given he's played an integral role in their Premier League success in recent years. Guardiola himself described the 28-year-old as a 'special' player and admitted working with players like him are the reason he's a manager.
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