Barcelona are long-term admirers of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva but could miss out on signing their top target.
The Spanish giants have made it no secret that they are keen to sign Manchester City star Bernardo Silva this summer, though their plans could be scuppered by Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 side have reportedly tabled a bid for Silva in the region of £59million.
Barca are long-term admirers of Silva and are keen to bring him to the Camp Nou this summer, though his significant price tag has prevented a bid from being submitted for the 28-year-old. The La Liga side are facing financial woes which means that a significant offer of this nature is a stretch.
Silva has been instrumental in City’s success over the past few seasons. The Portugal international made 35 appearances in his side’s title victory last season, scoring eight and assisting four – and he has kickstarted the new campaign in a rich vein of form too.
And Barca aren’t alone in their interest in the former Monaco star, as PSG have attempted to steal the initiative by tabling an offer for the midfielder, according to L’Equipe. It is reported that Silva is open to the move, though not exactly pushing for an exit from the Etihad Stadium outfit.
The midfielder has three more seasons left of his City contract and has not submitted a transfer request, and his club are not expected to entertain PSG’s offer. However, Silva’s agents are believed to have held talks with the French side to explore the project on offer.
Guardiola was asked earlier this week about Barcelona’s transfer interest in Silva, prior to the PSG bid reports emerging, to which he said: “I’m no one to tell Barca to forget about Bernardo. We want him to stay with us, but I don’t want anyone who’s not happy.
“The first thing would be for the clubs to come to an agreement, but there has been no offer for him in these last two years. I don’t want him to go, he’s a superlative player and a great person… and there are only seven or eight days left (in the window) and we would have to turn to the transfer market.
“I want him to stay. That said, it is true Bernardo likes Barcelona a lot.” It remains to be seen whether City will counter PSG’s offer for Silva or inform them and Barcelona that the player is not on the market.
