Manchester City will reportedly prefer to not sell Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva this summer, handing Barcelona a blow in his pursuit.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona’s hopes of signing Bernardo Silva in the summer transfer window could be fading. While the Catalan giants want to replace Frenkie de Jong with the Portuguese playmaker, Manchester City will prefer not to sell their star midfielder.
Bernardo Silva has turned his career around brilliantly in a span of twelve months. This time last year, the 27-year-old was keen on leaving Manchester City to preferably join Barcelona and secure regular game-time. But he ended up staying put at the Etihad Stadium before becoming a pivotal figure for the Citizens.
The Portuguese international amassed 13 goals and seven assists in 50 appearances across all competitions, playing an instrumental role in Manchester City’s Premier League title defence. But Silva reportedly intends to embark on a new adventure this summer despite rising in stature at the Etihad. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
The interest from Barcelona stems from the rampant uncertainties surrounding the future of Frenkie de Jong. In fact, widespread reports have suggested that Silva is Barcelona’s preferred target to replace the Dutch international, whose departure will help the Blaugrana lighten the wage bill while funding moves in the summer transfer window.
Recent reports have also claimed that Barcelona could propose a swap deal to Manchester City, with de Jong and Silva moving in the opposite directions. And the Portuguese playmaker is reportedly keen on joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window despite failing to comment on his future in a recent interview.
But Barcelona’s hopes of signing Silva in the summer transfer window could start fading, as the report by SPORT claims that the Premier League champions do not want to sell the Portuguese international. With Silva a pivotal figure for Manchester City, it is understandable why Pep Guardiola will not want him to leave.
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Barcelona might not have been able to afford to sign Silva anyway, with recent reports claiming that Manchester City will slap a €100 million price tag on him. So the stumbling blocks continue to appear in front of Barcelona, and signing the 27-year-old might be beyond their means.
