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Bernardo Silva 'open to joining Barcelona this summer'

Bernardo Silva 'open to joining Barcelona this summer'
© Reuters
Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva is open to making the move to Barcelona during this summer's transfer window, according to a report.

Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva is reportedly open to making the move to Barcelona this summer.

The Catalan outfit are believed to be long-term admirers of the Portugal international, with the club thought to have made an attempt to sign him last year before dropping their interest due to the cost of the proposed deal.

The 28-year-old remains a key player for Pep Guardiola's side, featuring on 35 occasions in all competitions this season, contributing three goals and five assists in the process.

The Portuguese also has more than two years left to run on his contract, but the attacker is thought to be keen to move on this summer for family reasons.

Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest, but Barcelona would allegedly be at the head of the queue for his signature, and according to Football Insider, Bernardo is open to discussing a switch to Camp Nou ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in action with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva on January 14, 2023© Reuters

The report claims that Man City would want £70m for the attacker, which could prove difficult for Barcelona due to their financial problems.

Last summer, Citizens boss Guardiola admitted that Bernardo "likes Barcelona a lot" during a period of speculation surrounding a possible exit.

"I'm no one to tell Barca to forget about (signing) Bernardo. We want him to stay with us, but I don't want anyone who's not happy. The first thing would be for the clubs to come to an agreement, but there has been no offer for him in these last two years," Guardiola told reporters at the time.

"I don't want him to go, he's a superlative player and a great person... and there are only seven or eight days left (in the window) and we would have to turn to the transfer market. I want him to stay. That said, it is true Bernardo likes Barcelona a lot."

Bernardo Silva in action for Manchester City on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Bernardo also said earlier this year that he would be open to leaving Man City for "a new project".

"I'm very focused on this season and it doesn't make sense to talk about leaving because we're in the middle of the season. I won't hide that my goal in the coming years, if something good happens elsewhere, will probably be to move to a new project," the attacker told Record.

"Going into a new project at the age of 29, I'll only finish this contract probably at 34. If you ask me: what did you think 10 years ago? My goal was to return to Benfica at the age of 32 at the most. What do I think today? It depends on what happens next summer.

"I'm not going to lie, it's not something I don't think about. I think about it every year. It has always been a goal."

Bernardo started his professional career with Benfica before moving to Monaco in 2017, where his form earned him a switch to the Etihad Stadium.

The Portuguese has made 286 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions since his arrival at the club, contributing 51 goals and 56 assists in the process.

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Written by
Matt Law

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