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Aleksandar Kolarov set to join Roma after telling Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola he wants to leave

City boss Guardiola admits there was no way he would fight to keep defender once he made it clear he wanted out

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PEP GUARDIOLA says he is happy to let Aleksandar Kolarov leave because he no longer wanted to stay at Manchester City.

Kolarov spent seven years at Manchester City winning two titles and making 243 appearances.

But he told Guardiola he wanted to return to Rome where he had played for Lazio and where he will now join their bitter rivals Roma.

Guardiola said: “I don’t like to work with people who don’t want to stay.

“Kola helped me a lot last season in terms of many, many things.

"But he had a big chance to go back to Rome where he was before and he spoke to me, the club and asked me to leave.

“I don’t like to stay with players who don’t want to stay. That’s why its the best option for everybody.

“I wish him all the best because he’s a really nice guy. We had an excellent relationship.

"I was very pleased to train him and I wish him and his family the best.

Guardiola has bought Kyle Walker to fill in at right-back and is chasing Real Madrid’s Danilo who plays in the same position.

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But he has no natural left-back although they are close to landing Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy.

Monaco yesterday rejected City's initial offer of £44.5million for Mendy, insisting they should match the £50m they paid Tottenham for Walker.

City's need for a left-back with Gael Clichy also departed means they are likely to come back with an improved offer closer to Monaco's valuation.

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