Barcelona are reportedly weighing up a possible loan move for 27-year-old Portuguese international Bernardo Silva late this summer.
According to a report by 90 min, Barcelona are keen on signing Bernardo Silva before the summer transfer window slams shut. To that end, the Blaugrana are lining up a loan offer for the 27-year-old Manchester City playmaker, who is also the subject of interest from Atletico Madrid and AC Milan.
Bernardo Silva has suffered a dip in fortunes and stature over the last couple of seasons. A key figure for Pep Guardiola in his initial years at Manchester City, the Portuguese international’s importance in the first-team setup has steadily gone down. To date, Silva has featured 203 times for the Premier League champions while chipping in with 35 goals and 44 assists along the way.
However, upon the arrival of Jack Grealish on a British transfer record fee, it is believed that Silva’s stock could fall further. And the 27-year-old himself is keen on calling it quits at Manchester City, with his preferred destination being La Liga, where Barcelona are among his suitors.
The interest from Barcelona makes sense, seeing as Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are shouldering most the responsibility in midfield under Ronald Koeman. Miralem Pjanic, who only arrived at Camp Nou last summer, is surplus to requirements after failing to impress in 2020/21.
In addition, Ilaix Moriba has been banished from the first-team setup amid an impasse with the Blaugrana over the terms of a new deal, with his current contract running out in a little under a year’s time. As a result, signing someone like Silva, who can also be an option further up the pitch as a right-winger, would be a step in the right direction.
However, Barcelona can only afford to sign the 27-year-old on loan, which is not an eventuality that Manchester City would prefer. In fact, Barcelona do not have the means to pay his entire wages either, which could eventually throw a spanner in the works for the Catalan giants.
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Apart from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan are also hot on the trails of the Portuguese international, but both of those clubs are also only willing to sign him on loan. What now remains to be seen is if Manchester City are prepared to discuss a loan move or if they remain adamant on selling Silva permanently.