PSG step up interest in Bernardo Silva, offer part-exchange deal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly tabled a player-plus-cash offer to sign €100 million-rated Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva.

According to Santi Aouna, Paris Saint-Germain want Bernardo Silva to be one of the marquee signings this summer transfer window and have lodged a part-exchange proposal to Manchester City that includes €40 million in cash plus the chance to sign a player.

The Premier League champions have little interest in the proposal and are still planning the new season with Silva as part of their current squad unless PSG meet their steep €100 million valuation for the treble-winning Portuguese attacker, who still has a contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2025.

Having already lost club captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, and with Riyad Mahrez closing in on a move to Saudi Arabia, it is understandable why Manchester City are not keen on selling yet another star player. Silva was a vital cog in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign this past year, notably bagging a brace against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

While Silva’s contract gives the Sky Blues leverage, the player has been longing for a new challenge for some time now, and potential offers from other clubs may play a role in his decision. With Barcelona in financial distress, their hopes of landing the 28-year-old appear very distant indeed, handing PSG a clear run in the transfer race to secure his signature.

Of course, PSG are pushing for a Kylian Mbappe sale after leaving the French superstar at home for their pre-season tour of Japan, which has dominated the headlines in the last 24 hours. Mbappe is now in the final year of his contract, and the Parisians are now fearful that the player has a verbal agreement over a free transfer to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024.

Should Mbappe leave this summer, there’s a feeling PSG would push to get another marquee addition in Silva. The player himself is leaning towards a move to the French capital, having previously enjoyed time in Ligue 1 with AS Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 title after helping his former side reach the Champions League semi-finals in the 2016/17 campaign.

It is also being heavily reported in France that Silva’s wife has already started visiting houses near PSG’s training center, hinting at a potential move to the French club. Interestingly, Manchester City have lined up Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella as a potential replacement, given they know PSG would return with an improved offer for Silva.

The 26-year-old Italy international is coming off an impressive campaign in which he led his side to the Champions League final, but he won’t come cheap by any means. Although PSG are willing to go all out for the 28-year-old’s services, it remains to be seen if City are willing to let him leave for a slightly more reasonable price.

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