Treble-winners Manchester City are reportedly ready to sanction the sale of playmaker Bernardo Silva in this ongoing transfer window.
The Portugal international, 28, is the subject of big interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, as well as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He has two more years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium but it looks like the Sky Blues are willing to part ways with him this year.
According to Football Insider, Manchester City are ready to accept a bid of between £45-50million for Bernardo Silva.
Silva, 28, has been at Man City since 2017 and has grown to become one of Pep Guardiola’s most important players. He has won five league titles, four League Cups, one FA Cup and one Champions League title with the Sky Blues. The playmaker played a crucial role in City’s treble success this past term, registering seven goals and eight assists in 55 appearances.
Ilkay Gundogan has already left Man City on a free transfer and been replaced with Croatian star Mateo Kovacic, and Pep Guardiola is expected to bring in a midfielder should Silva move on, the report adds.
With Silva having won everything at City and seems to be intrigued by a new adventure, Barcelona should make a move for Silva.
Barcelona came calling for Silva’s services last summer but City stood firm and told the Portugal international he would not be allowed to leave this season. The Catalan giants also were interested in signing him in the January transfer window, but again City insisted that the Portuguese playmaker would remain part of their squad until the end of the 2022/23 campaign, at least. Now, as Silva has been made available by the treble-winners, the Catalans must return and get him after signing Gundogan on a free transfer.
While City want in the region of £45-50million for Silva, Barcelona may struggle to sign given their current financial quandary. The Spanish champions have been warned by La Liga president Javier Tebas that they must trim €200mn from the wage bill ahead of 2023/2024 to comply with the Financial Fair Play rules, and it is only through mass player sales that they might be able to sign the City star.
Frenkie de Jong was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer but he stayed firm in his decision of staying at Barcelona. By staying put at the club, he became a crucial player for Xavi’s side, helping them win the La Liga title this past season. The Dutch midfielder is now deemed ‘untouchable’ at Camp Nou, but Xavi and sporting director Joan Laporta will probably look at selling players such as Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia and Clement Lenglet to raise funds.
Adding a player of Silva’s class, rich experience, winning mentality and versatility would undoubtedly boost Barcelona’s hopes of retaining the title, whilst competing in the Champions League next term. Having signed a player of Gundogan’s stature, the Blaugrana must raid City again and bring Silva to Nou Camp if finances permit.