"Nonsense" - Manchester City transfer development shutdown in significant response

Following a flurry of reports from Spain concerning Manchester City and Barcelona earlier on Tuesday, a new development has shut down such suggestions.

The claims concern the future of Bernardo Silva, who is understood to have been eyeing a move away from the Etihad Stadium for the past couple of seasons.

Barcelona are the primary club who have been at the centre of transfer rumours, with the La Liga giants making the Portugal international a primary target for the last few windows.

Tuesday saw a significant development from Spain, as journalist Gerard Romero reported that Barcelona and Manchester City had agreed on a transfer fee for Bernardo Silva.

To the surprise of many, it was suggested that the two parties had agreed on a fee below €80 million.

It was then further expanded by the journalist that the figures mentioned for Bernardo Silva were between €50 million and €55 million.

After many Manchester City fans were left seeking answers from sources closer to home, the first response from a club-focused journalist in England pours water on the flames of this particular line of reporting.

As per Jonathan Smith of Goal, reports linking Barcelona with an agreement with Manchester City for Bernardo Silva are being labelled as "nonsense".

Regardless of the future of Bernardo Silva, Manchester City are still expected to be active during the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

Following the failure to sign Brighton's Marc Cucurella, a senior first-team left-back remains a priority for club officials.

However, targets in the position are at a premium, while the likes of VfB Stuttgart's Bona Sosa and Benfica's Alex Grimaldo have been mooted as potential options.

Nevertheless, additional business may be required should the club sanction a sale of Bernardo Silva.

The club hold an admiration for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, but any deal for the England international this summer looks next to impossible.

That could sway the Premier League side towards the likes of Olympique Lyonnais' Lucas Paqueta - a player whom club officials and scouts admire.

Manchester City's net spend this summer is still very likely to remain in the green despite any further incomings.