Bernardo Silva left Manchester City last week after a trophy-filled nine-year spell in the Premier League, making the midfielder available on a free transfer this summer.
Bernardo Silva wants to join Barcelona (Image: Denis Tyrin/UEFA)
Bernardo Silva is claimed to want to join Barcelona this summer despite receiving offers from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid and Benfica.
The midfielder is available in the Bosman transfer after opting to leave Manchester City this summer and has no shortage of fans across Europe and even further afield, including at MLS clubs. However, the 31-year-old now appears to be leaning towards staying in Europe, with big-money Barcelona emerging as Bernardo’s preferred destination.
Barça have already been active in the transfer market since the end of the season, signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle in a £70m deal. They are also said to be preparing a crushing offer of £87m to lure Julián Alvarez away from Atletico.
The Times reports that Silva is keen to join the influx of new players at the Camp Nou, and that Barça have responded to their interest.
The former Manchester City captain, who has family in Barcelona, is thought to remain keen on the idea of finishing his playing career at Benfica after graduating from the club’s academy.
However, Silva feels he can continue to play at the highest level for a few more years and is tempted by the possibility of competing in the Champions League with Barcelona.
The paper also notes that even a low salary offer of around £80,000 a week will not deter Silva from making a move to the ambitious Spanish champions.
Silva’s departure, like those of John Stones and Josep Guardiola, marks the end of an era at Manchester City. The playmaker has won 16 major trophies with the club since joining from Monaco in 2017, including the treble in the 2022-23 season.
Silva made an emotional farewell to Manchester City last week (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Last weekend, after playing his final game in a Manchester City shirt, he gave an emotional speech to fans, saying: “It’s really hard to put into words how I feel for Manchester City and for you all, because I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same way about another team again in my life.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get the love I got from this club and from you all again. Thank you so much.
“All the memories we’ve had together, my brothers, you guys, the staff, this is family. They’ll be my family forever and I’m so grateful.”
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