Revealed: Vital Man City star desperate for Barcelona switch; could sign new deal on one condition
Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva in action
TEAMtalk understands that Manchester City star Bernardo Silva wants to join Barcelona this summer, but the Spanish club may be unable to finance a deal.
The Portugal international came close to joining the Catalans last summer, but Pep Guardiola reportedly told him to hold off for another season.
Now, with the summer approaching, Silva and Barcelona are keen on discussing the prospect of a transfer.
As previously reported by TEAMtalk, Guardiola is ‘willing’ to let the Portugal international make the switch to the Camp Nou this summer, despite his importance to the team.
This season, Silva has made 50 appearances across all competitions for Man City. In the process, he has scored five goals and made seven assists.
Silva has played in a variety of positions, this season – as an attacking and defensive midfielder, a winger and even as a left-back on occassion. This shows how important he is to the team.
Nevertheless, Guardiola’s policy has always been to never stand in a player’s way if they want to leave. This was evidenced by the departures of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus last summer.
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Silva could sign new City deal if Barca move fails
According to our transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Silva still wants to join Barcelona, despite the fact Guardiola ‘loves’ him.
However, if the Spanish club can’t afford his transfer fee, he could end up signing a new contract with Man City, after all.
“I am told that Bernardo Silva would still like to move to the Camp Nou this summer, but it is easier said than done,” Bailey told TEAMtalk.
“City, like with any player, won’t stand in his way but it is a big ask for Barcelona to come up with a deal for him. I am told that if that deal does not develop then he could agree a new deal.
“Pep doesn’t want player who don’t want to play for him, but he loves Bernardo.”
Silva’s current contract at the Etihad is valid until June 2025. With that in mind, his services won’t come cheap.
Indeed, the 28-year-old has an estimated valuation of £80m as per Transfermarkt, funds Barcelona could find very difficult to find.
The Catalans are currently in the midst of somewhat of a financial crisis, and need to sell players before they can buy due to Financial Fair Play rules.
Therefore, if Barcelona can’t afford Silva this summer, we could see the Portuguese star actually extend his career at the Etihad.
