How Man City could turn potential Bernardo Silva move to Barcelona to their advantage

12.06.2022 - 15:33 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

After enjoying arguably his best season yet in a Manchester City shirt, the reports linking Bernardo Silva with a move away from the club were not what City fans wanted to see this week.

A surge of reports have suggested that the 28-year-old is the priority target of Barcelona coach Xavi, and should Bernardo indicate that he wants to move to the Camp Nou then City would demand at least an €80m (£68.3m) fee from the Spanish giants.

MEN Sport understands that Bernardo is happy at the club and with life in Manchester, while City are in no mood to sell one of their best players. When quizzed on the subject last week, Pep Guardiola said it would be "very difficult" for Barcelona to sign his midfielder.

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While the reports appear to be largely speculation, the way in which they are gaining traction and increasing in number is a little unsettling for City to say the least, as was Bernardo's failure to dismiss the rumours in a recent television interview.

At this stage, it seems more than likely that Bernardo will be wearing a sky blue shirt next season, but the question of how City would adapt to life without the Portuguese midfielder remains a fascinating one.

Hijack Manchester United

Manchester United have been heavily linked with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the past week, with the Dutch midfielder reportedly now open to reuniting with his old coach Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

The word coming out of Spain is that Barcelona would only be happy to let the 25-year-old go if they can replace him with Bernardo.

In recent years United have developed a habit of hijacking City's transfer negotiations and signing their