Jorge Mendes has reportedly offered the services of Bernardo Silva to Barcelona as a more economical alternative to Philippe Coutinho.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Jorge Mendes is looking for a new club for Bernardo Silva only a few months after he joined Manchester City. Barcelona have been offered the services of the Portuguese attacker, who has failed to hold down a regular spot in starting eleven at Etihad.
Silva took world football by storm last season as he played an instrumental role for AS Monaco in their shock Ligue 1 triumph. His exploits helped attract interest from a host of top clubs across Europe, with Manchester City eventually winning the race to sign him.
The switch to the Etihad though, hasn’t reaped immediate dividends, with Silva only managing to start six games in all competitions thus far. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are indispensable in midfield, while Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling have been the regulars in attack, meaning the player has had to suffice with a bit-part role.
Bernardo Silva:
One of the best dribblers in the world, very rarely loses possession. Legendary at creating chances. Very important player next summer pic.twitter.com/iwwBslAFmd— Malcolm Rodrigues (@DeadlyDias) November 11, 2017
The situation is hardly ideal for any player, let alone someone who is still fighting for his spot in the Portugal National Team, heading into next summer’s World Cup. Silva’s agent Jorge Mendes has, thus, taken matters into his own hands, by offering him to Barcelona.
The Blaugrana’s priority to sign a playmaker has been all too apparent as part of their succession plans for the day when Andres Iniesta hangs up his boots – Barcelona heavily pursued Marco Verratti and Philippe Coutinho in the summer, albeit unsuccessfully so.
The Catalans are believed to be still chasing the Liverpool playmaker, with a move in the January transfer window on the cards. Mendes, though, has other plans, offering Silva as a cheaper alternative to Coutinho.
Having famously been the orchestrator in Monaco’s attack last season, the 23-year-old surely is an attractive option, who could be developed further under the tutelage of Ernesto Valverde, with Iniesta potentially playing the role of his mentor during the twilight years of his career.
Furthermore, Silva would cost far less than the €180 million outlay that Barcelona will have to make for Coutinho. Manchester City, though, are likely to be unwilling to part ways with the player within months of bringing him over to Etihad.
The player’s wish for a more regular role could render Pep Guardiola & co. helpless though, thus paving the way for a switch to Camp Nou, and it remains to be seen if Barcelona indeed decide to turn their attention towards Silva for a January move.
