Bernardo Silva looking to exit for Barcelona

Manchester City favourite, Bernardo Silva, has reportedly announced his intentions to join Barcelona should an acceptable offer be received from the Spanish giants.

The Portuguese international has reportedly spoken with City officials, including Pep Guardiola, to call for a new challenge and join the revolution in Catalonia with the playmaker a top target of Xavi Hernandez.

Speculation regarding his exit was rife last summer with the individual expressing a desire to move for a new challenge out of England. He was convinced to stay one more season with a reported pact between Guardiola, allowing him to leave should an acceptable offer be received come 2022.

That offer is priced at a considerable high for most clubs with the 27-year-old contracted to the English Champions until 2025. According to a report in Mundo Deportivo on Friday, Silva’s price is similar to the Frenkie de Jong’s valuation of £80 million with £20 million in add-ons.

Providing the Blaugrana sells the Dutchman then it will make a bid for Silva all that easier considering their financial difficulties, or a swap deal could be on the cards.

Would a swap deal work?

City’s pursuit of Kalvin Phillips is to provide suitable cover for Fernandinho after he left to return to Brazil at the end of his contract, although the favoured trio of Rodri, Phillips and Kevin de Bruyne will be a dominating option should Silva leave.

Frenkie de Jong has always been of interest to Guardiola even when playing for Ajax, the Dutchman was supposedly a suitable target prior to Rodri and any transfer was chanced over the development of Phil Foden and other academy stars. However, he chose Barcelona three years ago.

Interest remains high with speculation returning in the post-season with reports regarding his exit from the club. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise to myself should a straight swap deal happen as it suits both parties.

Made even more sweeter should City beat Manchester United to their number one summer target.

Can Barcelona afford without selling De Jong?

Things look bright for the Catalans after Barcelona’s members approved the sale of merchandising and television rights, to aid their transfer incomings – most likely Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva – and refloat the club.

There is hope that they can end three straight years of recording losses and now end this year in profit following this latest decision. Around £600-700 million pounds is anticipated to come into the club.

This bodes well for their transfer targets, however I can only see the Silva  transfer coming off providing they depart with De Jong first or in any deal, alongside several high earners currently at the club. Particularly, as they are unable to register their new signings, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, due to the La Liga’s salary cap restrictions.

Silva enjoyed arguably his best season in sky blue as City were crowned Premier League champions for the fourth time in five years, and is likely to go with the fans well wishes.

But, time will tell where we will see the playmaker’s future come next season but I’m sure Bernardo will be missed by all in the blue half of Manchester. Maybe begrudgingly for some as they wipe their tears in the shirt with the number 20 on the back.