MX23RW : Tuesday, September 6 17:55:55| >> :120:8403:8403:

Barcelona target Bernardo Silva 'set to stay at Manchester City'

Barcelona target Bernardo Silva 'set to stay at Man City'
© Reuters
Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva is reportedly set to stay at the club beyond the summer transfer window despite interest from Barcelona.

Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva is reportedly set to stay at the club this summer despite interest from Barcelona.

The 28-year-old's future at the Etihad Stadium has been questioned over the last 12 months, with the Portugal international admitting last summer that he was keen to seek pastures new.

Silva eventually stayed with the Citizens last season and enjoyed another successful campaign under Pep Guardiola, recording 13 goals and seven assists in 50 appearances across all competitions as well as winning the fourth Premier League title of his career.

Since City's top-flight success in May, Silva has been strongly linked with a move to Catalan giants Barcelona, with head coach Xavi identifying the playmaker as one of his top targets.

Both clubs are believed to have held talks throughout this summer, with Barca president Joan Laporta speaking directly to the player's agent Jorge Mendes.

Bernardo Silva in action for Manchester City on August 13, 2022© Reuters

According to Sport, Barca have reached an agreement with both Silva and Mendes over personal terms, and they are preparing to make a final offer in an effort to persuade City to cash in on the playmaker.

However, The Athletic claims that Barcelona are highly unlikely to meet City's €100m (£84m) valuation of Silva, who still has three years remaining on his contract at the Etihad.

While there is still believed to be a 'remote possibility' that the situation could change before the September 1 deadline, Barca would seemingly need to sell a number of first-team players, including midfielder Frenkie de Jong, if they are to stump up City's asking price.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Silva suggested that City are aware of his desire to leave the club, saying: "I have been open with [City] and they know what I want.

"It's a big club and they don't want players who are not happy at the club. They always say to all of us that if you're not happy, you can go."

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their fifth goal before it is disallowed after a VAR review on February 15, 2022 © Reuters

Despite Barca expressing their interest in signing Silva, they are yet to table a formal bid for the playmaker, who is now focussed fully on the season ahead with Guardiola's side.

The Athletic adds that Silva is ready to commit his immediate future to the Premier League champions and is prepared to put aside thoughts of a potential move away from the club for this season at least.

Barcelona have already signed five players so far this summer, with Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde arriving for a combined fee in excess of £150m, while Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie have arrived on free transfers.

Chelsea's Marcos Alonso is believed to be edging closer to a move to Camp Nou for around £8.4m, while the Catalan club are also keen to recruit a new right-back before the transfer deadline, with the likes of Villarreal's Juan Foyth and Borussia Dortmund's Thomas Meunier on their radar.

ID:492458:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7517:

Click here for more stories about Bernardo Silva

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on August 13, 2022
Read Next:
Three players that could leave Barcelona before the end of the transfer window
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal6501147715
2Manchester CityMan City64202061414
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs6420125714
4Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton6411115613
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd640288012
6Chelsea631289-110
7Liverpool623115699
8Brentford623115969
9Leeds UnitedLeeds6222101008
10Fulham62229908
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle61417617
12Southampton6213710-37
13Bournemouth6213518-137
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves613234-16
15Crystal Palace613279-26
16Everton604246-24
17Aston Villa6114510-54
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham611438-54
19Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest6114414-104
20Leicester CityLeicester6015816-81

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!