Silva sub story as Pep shows he is no fan of dissent

BERNARDO SILVA is finding out that you cross Pep Guardiola at your peril.

- Simon Mullock

In the five years since the livewire Portuguese midfielder arrived at Manchester City he has arguably been their most consistent performer.

After spending last summer agitating for a move to Spain, he answered his manager's plea to help him win a fourth Premier League title.

But it's been more of the same this year. Barcelona want Silva and he fancies La Liga, but City are demanding £80million and the Catalans can't afford it.

Silva has spurned chances to put the speculation to rest, perhaps forgetting that Guardiola still has eyes inside the Nou Camp and will know all about the machinations of agent Jorge Mendes.

City's manager admitted that he doesn't know where Silva will be when the transfer window closes.

But actions speak louder than words.