Guardiola urges Diaz not to quit City

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City have done everything in their power to keep Brahim Diaz, but he will not try to stop the young star from leaving in the new year.

The 19-year-old Spanish midfielder, who is out of contract with the Premier League champions next summer, has been frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities under Guardiola.

His only starts have been in the League Cup, in which he has made three, while his Premier League experience with City has been limited to five substitute outings.

That has led to reports that Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain are both interested in signing him offering him guarantees of more first-team experience. Diaz could even start talking to foreign clubs as early as January and agree a pre-contract.

City manager Guardiola insists he will not stand in the player's way if that is his wish.

"We want him, we want to extend his contract and we'll do everything, but it's in his hands," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

"My advice if he doesn't want to stay, he has to leave. Before we arrived it was the same with Jadon, Phil. He has to decide and it's no more than that."
- Imperious City -
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