Barcelona eye 2023 move for Manchester City star

Aside from Erling Haaland’s arrival, the biggest transfer story involving Manchester City was focused on Bernardo Silva’s potential move to Barcelona in the summer.

The Catalan heavyweights were reportedly rubbing their hands at the Portuguese international’s potential coup, with Frenkie de Jong looking set to join either Manchester United or Chelsea at the time.

However, Xavi’s side ultimately failed to stump up the €100 million valuation to complete his signature.

After the club’s attempts to sign him in the previous summer, two successive transfer windows have now seen the deal fail to get past the finish line.

Manchester City ended up as the victors at the end of this seemingly relentless saga, considering Bernardo Silva remains such a key player in the side.

Showcasing his calibre as both a right winger as well as in midfield already this season, it is natural to assume Pep Guardiola’s side are over the moon to keep hold of one of their most vital squad members, especially after the decorated attacker has just come off the back of arguably his finest individual campaign at the Etihad Stadium.

However, a new update suggests that this summer was far from the end of the Spanish giants’ desire to sign Bernardo Silva, with a plan to reignite their interest still in place.

As per a report by Spanish newspaper Sport, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Barcelona will make a ‘concrete attempt’ to bring Bernardo Silva to the Spotify Camp Nou in a future window.

Xavi is understood to believe that the former AS Monaco technician is the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle to elevate his side, which is already packed with top talent.

In the summer of 2022, it has been claimed that Manchester City were willing to allow Bernardo Silva to depart the club.

However, the La Liga juggernaut failed to stump up the Sky Blues’ desired price tag to do so.

As Manchester City did not have sufficient time in the transfer market to find a suitable successor for the in-demand superstar, a move simply could not get over the line.

As time passed, the player is said to have been frustrated by the situation, as well as with Barcelona’s inability to get a deal wrapped up by the end of the window.

Considering Pep Guardiola’s policy of allowing unsettled squad members to leave, it seemed as if a transfer was not out of bounds.

However, Barcelona will now look to the following summer to sign Bernardo Silva, as Manchester City will assess how to handle a potential high-profile exit.