With the season coming to a close, the English press is once again speculating on one of the hot topics of the summer of 2022: Bernardo Silva’s departure from Manchester City. The Portuguese international has expressed his desire to leave the club and join Barcelona, but Pep Guardiola did not allow the influential midfielder to leave, and he ended up staying at the Etihad Stadium in 2022/23.
Now, according to 90min, the Spanish coach’s stance has changed, and he will not put obstacles in the way of Bernardo Silva’s departure, should the former Benfica player still be interested in changing clubs.
The same source also reports that despite strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Bernardo Silva only wants to swap Manchester City for Barcelona. However, the Portuguese player has a contract valid until June 2025, and City has set the bar at €80 million to sell him. These values are unaffordable for a Barcelona side that is going through financial difficulties and has as its priority the goal of securing Lionel Messi’s return.
Thus, if Barcelona cannot meet Manchester City’s economic demands, Bernardo Silva will not try to force his exit and may even extend his contract with the Citizens. The player has been a key player for City in recent seasons, contributing with goals, assists, and an outstanding work rate.
Bernardo Silva has proven to be a versatile player, capable of playing in several positions in midfield, on the wing, and even as a false nine. He has already won numerous titles with Manchester City, including three Premier League titles, and has been a regular in the Portuguese national team in recent years.
The prospect of Bernardo Silva joining Barcelona is certainly an intriguing one, as the club is undergoing a period of transition and rebuilding under the guidance of Ronald Koeman. The addition of a player of Silva’s caliber could certainly help to accelerate the process and add some much-needed creativity to the team’s midfield.
Nevertheless, the high transfer fee demanded by Manchester City could be a major stumbling block, especially given Barcelona’s current financial situation. Only time will tell if the Catalan club will be able to pull off this deal, or if Bernardo Silva will remain at Manchester City for the foreseeable future.
