Man City’s Bernardo Silva ‘has given agent Jorge Mendes the green light to negotiate a move to Barcelona this summer’ but cash-strapped Spanish giants will have to pay at least £86m to land the Portuguese midfielder
- Bernardo Silva gives the go ahead for his agent to negotiate a Barcelona switch
- Silva has already indicated to Pep Guardiola that he wants to make the move
- However Barca will struggle to pay the necessary £86m for his services
- The deal likely depends on Manchester United’s ability to sign Frenkie de Jong
Manchester City‘s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva has given his agent the green light over a potential move to Barcelona this summer.
Silva’s contract runs until the summer of 2025, but the player has indicated to City boss Pep Guardiola that he wants to make the move to start a new chapter in his career, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
However, the Catalan giants will have to pay at least £86million for his services, which may prove to be an insurmountable obstacle given their current financial crisis.
Bernardo Silva will cost Barcelona around £86m – which they are unlikely to be able to afford
And even if Xavi’s side were able to put together a bid that could come close to City’s valuation, that would only provide them with half the solution, as Guardiola will be loathe to part with the player.
Barca will likely have to sell before they buy
Guardiola admitted that Silva wanted to leave the Etihad, saying: ‘Today I think Bernardo Silva will continue.
‘But as I’ve always said, since my time at Barça, I don’t want players who don’t want to be there.
‘What I can say is that Bernardo is important to us.’
Since his arrival from Monaco in 2017, the 27-year-old has become one of Guardiola’s most important players, showcasing his ability to excel in several positions as City have dominated English football.
In 249 games for the Manchester club, the Portuguese midfielder has scored 48 and assisted 50 times, winning four Premier League titles in five seasons.
City are standing firm on their valuation of the player despite expressing his wish to leave, and although Barca are likely unable to afford the midfielder at the moment, several players could be on their way out of the Nou Camp this…