A source from Spain has revealed that Manchester City star Bernardo Silva is closer to joining Barcelona.
Bernardo Silva's long-term future at Manchester City has been a source of debate for the past two seasons.
The 27-year-old was reportedly one of many non-English first-team members of Manchester City interested in moving closer to home last summer.
In 2021, Silva was heavily linked to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but a transfer for the four-time Premier League champion never materialized because of the financial limitations.
The next season, Silva put his failed transfer behind him and went on to produce dazzling performances in
midfield for Pep Guardiola, who is thought to have played a major role in persuading the Portugal international to remain at the Etihad Stadium last summer.
In 50 appearances for the Blues in all competitions last season, Silva scored 13 goals and provided seven assists. He was a major contributor to both his team's run to the Champions League semifinals and their retention of the Premier League championship.
However, the persistent rumors that
Silva wants to go to Barcelona have emerged again in recent weeks, sparking one of the summer's biggest transfer sagas according to Wvin.
The Spanish powerhouses are reportedly short on funds and in the process of restructuring a debt that is said to be worth over €1 billion. However, they still seem eager to move on with an outrageous bid for Bernardo Silva, reportedly valued by the Etihad hierarchy at €80-90 million.
At the official announcement of his team's charity friendly match with Barcelona at the Camp Nou in August, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently expressed the club's wish to retain the former AS Monaco star.
Silva would be open to moving to
La Liga, even if he is reluctant to admit it officially. After all, it is clear that he is enjoying both his football and life in Manchester.
Silva will return to Manchester on July 11 after the holidays. According to reports, his team feels at ease regarding his future since they realize the 27-year-destiny old's is not in their hands.
Due to Barcelona's well-known financial situation, City have not yet received a formal offer from the Spanish club, and if a deal is to be made, they will need to free up some funds.
Silva won't be held against his will by the Premier League winners, but signing him could demand a bid in the region of £80 million.
The La Liga club is believed to feel that signing Silva would substantially raise the level of competitiveness in the team, despite Barcelona's well-known financial difficulties
The future possibilities of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has drawn strong attention from Manchester United since the appointment of new manager Erik ten Hag, are a crucial aspect of Barcelona's story.
A swap deal involving De Jong and Silva has been mooted in some sources, but early indications suggest City is not interested in signing the former and will instead try to persuade Silva to stay at the Etihad.