PEP’S TALKS!
Guardiola open to discussing new City deal
PEP GUARDIOLA opened the door to signing a new contract at Manchester City on the eve of the club’s title defence. the 51-year-old, who has won the Premier League four times in five years, is now in the final season of his deal.
A decision on Guardiola’s future is unlikely to be taken until towards Christmas but he is deliberating extending his stay at the etihad beyond seven years. ‘i wouldn’t change my life here one second,’ he said. ‘We spoke with the club. in the middle of the season, end of the season, we will talk again about how we feel and decide what’s best for the club.
‘i said many times if they want it i’d like to stay longer but at the same time i have to be sure. it’s not the second or third season, it’s many years already and i have to see how the players behave. ‘i don’t want to be a problem. Sometimes when you extend things, you force it and it’s not good. these kind of situations happen when it’s going to happen in a natural way.’
City — who start their league campaign at West Ham united tomorrow — are on the hunt for a left back and closing in on Anderlecht’s Sergio Gomez. Bernardo Silva is attracting interest from Barcelona and, while Guardiola stopped short of shutting down talk of his exit, City do not want to let the Portuguese leave.
‘i would love if Bernardo could continue here because he’s a special player,’ Guardiola said. ‘if he stays, it is perfect. if in the end he has to leave it is because football is like this.’ Meanwhile, City’s players and backroom staff will vote for their next captain towards the end of the transfer window — in keeping with last season’s ballot. Ruben dias and Kevin de Bruyne are front runners to take over from Fernandinho. CITY have sold twice the number of season tickets ahead of the new Women’s Super League campaign in a significant upsurge in interest. Arsenal’s trip to the Academy Stadium is nearing a sell-out, while december’s derby against Manchester united at the etihad is selling quickly.
West Ham v Man City LIVE on Sky Sports, tomorrow 4.30pm.