Pep Guardiola warns Manchester City 'will do everything to keep' Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva

Manchester City “will do everything to keep” Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker at the club, says manager Pep Guardiola.

Both players have been strongly linked with exits this summer, with Bayern Munich chasing England international Walker and Barcelona interested in a deal for Bernardo.

But Guardiola made his feelings clear about other clubs’ interest in his players ahead of City’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

"Regarding Kyle and Bernardo, what could I say? They are so important for us,” said Guardiola.

“We want them, we are going to do everything [to keep them]. We want [Bernardo] to stay because he wants to stay.”

City have already lost two stalwarts of their Treble-winning side this summer after Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona on a free and Riyad Mahrez signed for Saudi side Al Ahli.

“We have already lost two incredible players," Guardiola added. "They scored goals in big, important games.

“To lose Kyle and Bernardo would be so difficult. We will do everything to keep them."

Guardiola was then pressed on where Barcelona’s interest in Bernardo stands.

"I want to clarify that because I know Barcelona reps. From day one I don't want any players who don't want to be here,” he said.

“I'm an employee. I want to work with guys who want to stay and work with staff and players but after if we don't get a proper offer, he's our player and we want him.

“If they want him, they will take a plane and come here and talk to our sporting director to make an agreement.

“For us to buy a player is £10-15m more than other clubs. They have to make an offer and they didn't make an offer."

Guardiola did reveal that City’s move for Croatia international defender Josko Gvardiol is on the verge of completion.

The 21-year-old centre-back is set to join the European champions after two impressive seasons in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.

“What a beautiful surname he has! He is doing the medical test - everyone knows he is here,” Guardiola said.

“Hopefully we can finish the deal in the next hours, next days.”

Sunday’s Community Shield clash at Wembley offers an early chance for both sides to grab some silverware, as the Treble winners face last season’s Premier League runners-up Arsenal.

The Gunners were City’s closest challengers in 2022/23, leading the league standings for much of the season before fading during the run-in.

But Guardiola insists he needs to worry about more than just the north London club in the campaign ahead if his team are to reassert their domestic dominance.

"There is not one or two teams [challenging us] but a lot of teams who will fight for everything,” he said. “The challenge is massive for us. Mentally, how we can grow as a team and football-wise?

“The challenge is there. How starving are we, how is our desire to defend what we won?

“We will see during a process of 11 months during the lower moments. I think we will have more [obstacles] than ever, so it is how we overcome them.”

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