Manchester City's hopes of keeping Bernardo Silva heighten following 'dirty tricks' from Barcelona

FC Barcelona’s relentless pursuit of Manchester City midfield gem Bernardo Silva has continued to rage on in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window. 

The 28 year-old has been rumoured to want a move away from the Etihad club for nearly two years now, but a Covid-stricken market saw Bernardo Silva remain in sky blue.

In that time, the Portugal international has cemented himself as a crucial player in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, thanks in large part to his non-stop motor up and down the pitch. 

This summer however, Barcelona have made their desire to swoop in for Bernardo Silva public, with club president Joan Laporta mentioning his name multiple times when speaking about their transfer plans.

As a result, Manchester City have made their stance known.

According to The Mirror’s Simon Mullock, the Premier League club do not want to sell Bernardo Silva - and have set a price tag of more than £80 million for the midfielder. 

With the knowledge that Barcelona are currently going through a period of extreme financial hardship, the Etihad hierarchy should have confidence in holding onto their man. 

Furthermore, the report has revealed that the La Liga club have ‘blown their hopes’ getting a deal done for Bernardo Silva as a result of ‘dirty tricks’ pulled in an attempt to unsettle the player. 

As per the report, Barcelona’s very public confidence that they will sign the 28 year-old has not been taken well by Manchester City decision makers.

The Premier League champions have not yet been officially told by the Spanish club that they have interest in the player.

To compound that, the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, has not informed them that Bernardo Silva wants to leave.

Pep Guardiola’s decision to keep Silva on the bench in the first two Premier League games of the season has led to some speculation that the midfielder is closer to a move away than the club is letting on. 

However, all of the information coming out of the club’s public, and private channels, is that they expect Silva to remain a Manchester City player this season.

This is in fact due in large part to Barcelona’s financial issues. 

Next up for the Blues is a trip to Newcastle United, as they look to win a third straight Premier League match.

But a trip to St. James Park is no longer the free hit that has been in years past thanks to new investment at the North-east club.