Barcelona have informed Manchester City they will submit a bid for Bernardo Silva before the summer transfer window shuts, according to a new report.
The Catalan club have been interested in the Portugal international for some time now, with links between the two dating back all the way to the summer of 2020.
Though it is understood that Bernardo Silva has been keen on a move to La Liga throughout that time, a Covid-stricken market and Barcelona’s very public financial problems have seen Silva stay put at the Etihad Stadium.
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The 27-year-old has cemented himself as a key player in Pep Guardiola's squad, winning four Premier League titles and a host of other domestic silverware during his time in Manchester.
Since signing for City in 2017, the Lisbon-born playmaker boasts a tally of 48 goals and 50 assists in 250 appearances across all competitions for the Sky Blues.
However, it is his unrelenting energy on the pitch that has made Silva not only a fan favourite, but a near irreplaceable outlet at the Etihad Stadium.
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A replacement could need to be found if Barcelona get their way as they look to step up their interest in Silva in the final weeks of the transfer window.
According to the latest information of CBS Sports, Barcelona have told Manchester City they will bid for Silva before the transfer window shuts at the end of August.
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In an exclusive interview with CBS Sports earlier in the summer, Barcelona president Joan Laporta refused to comment on Barcelona's interest in Silva, whom he hailed as 'a very good player'.
It was believed that Manchester City have set a price tag of €80 million for Silva, who has three years left on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Amidst Barcelona’s financial troubles, many believe that a deal of that magnitude is outside of the Spanish club’s budget for the time being.
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However, the La Liga giants have already splashed the cash the likes of Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this summer - a few statements of intent that they can manage to raise funds to secure big names in the market.
If Bernardo Silva were to join an eye-catching list of departing City players this summer that already contains Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Manchester City are expected to hit the market to fill the void.
The Premier League champions have recently been linked with a swoop for Lyon's Lucas Paqueta and Sporting Lisbon’s Matheus Nunes to prepare for a possible exit in the case of Bernardo Silva.
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Having seen wholesale changes made to his squad ahead of the new campaign, Pep Guardiola could be left concerned with the number of fresh faces being embedded at City in the opening months of the season.
Topics: Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Premier League, La Liga, Barcelona, Joan Laporta, Bernardo Silva, Pep Guardiola, Transfers, Xavi
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Adam Booker