Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on the situation of 27-year-old Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva’s situation at Manchester City.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Barcelona still retain an interest in Bernardo Silva despite failing to sign him in the summer transfer window. And the Catalan giants are closely monitoring his situation following recent comments by Pep Guardiola suggesting that the 27-year-old could still leave Manchester City.
Bernardo Silva joined Manchester City in the summer of 2017 following an incredibly successful campaign with AS Monaco, complete with a shock Ligue 1 triumph in 2016/17. Over the last four years, the Portuguese playmaker has progressed considerably under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola, although he has been rotated heavily in the last couple of seasons.
Things seemed to have reached a head owing to such a situation and Pep Guardiola made a revelation during the summer transfer window wherein he pointed towards the 27-year-old’s desire to exit the Etihad. Such a situation had piqued the interest of Barcelona, who had been keen on signing him in the summer.
However, none of his suitors managed to make a convincing enough offer for Silva, who stayed put at Manchester City and has made eight appearances for the Citizens so far this season. Barcelona, though, continue to hold an interest in Silva and for a good reason.
The Blaugrana inexplicably chose not to sign a midfielder in the summer despite offloading Ilaix Moriba and Miralem Pjanic (on loan). While Gavi and Nico Gonzalez have been stunning upon being given their chances in the first-team setup, the duo cannot be played too much owing to the risk of burning them out.
With Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets the only other regular options at Ronald Koeman’s disposal, it is understandable why Barcelona are in the market for a central midfielder. Silva, to that end, is a viable target for the Catalan giants, who can also utilise the 27-year-old out wide in the final third, which is another area they are keen on bolstering.
For now, Barcelona are keenly monitoring the situation of Silva, who has a contract running till 2025 with Manchester City, meaning it could take a sizable fee to prise him away. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can finally get their hands on the Portuguese playmaker if they do make a move for him.
