Bernardo Silva to ‘plead’ for Man City exit but Arsenal transfer unlikely

Bernardo Silva is reportedly set for ‘showdown talks’ with Pep Guardiola as he looks to force through a cost-friendly move to Barcelona.

The Portuguese international wants to leave the reigning Premier League champions and join cash-strapped Barcelona.

City are not expected to stand in the way of the three-time Premier League champion, having already secured a replacement after breaking the bank to sign Jack Grealish in a mega £100million transfer from Aston Villa.

According to The Sun, Bernardo will ‘plead’ to City manager Guardiola to be granted a move to the Catalan club in which Pep is so famously tied.

"He's our player,” Guardiola told the Manchester Evening News.

"Not just Bernardo; there are two, three or four players that want to leave. But they are our players under contract and when they bring some offer and their agents come here, and they want to leave, we are open to discuss absolutely everything. But it depends on them."

The diminutive playmaker is a client of Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes. It is believed that Mendes has already got the wheels moving on a potential transfer to La Liga.

Where will Bernardo Silva end up this summer? Let us know in the comments

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim Atletico are keen to bring Bernardo to Madrid this summer, and Guardiola’s comments will have encouraged Diego Simeone to make a move.

The news Bernardo has his heart set on Spain will not be welcome to Arsenal, who are reportedly interested in filling their hole in creative midfield.

This summer, Arsenal have been in hot pursuit of a creative midfield player but have had interest rebuffed for Martin Odegaard and James Maddison.

The reported transfer fee will be a major stumbling block in any permanent deal, as Maddison is valued at over £60m by Leicester City.

It is believed City will hold out for £45m, almost £20m less than Silva is worth, according to Transfermarkt.

With FC Barcelona reportedly in €1bn worth of debt, it is difficult to imagine they will be able to find £45m to pay Bernardo’s transfer fee.

This summer, the Blaugrana hoped to ship expensive assets, including Antoine Griezmann, Phillippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti.

However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has failed to get these players off their wage books and has had to let Lionel Messi walk for free.

Silva, who joined City from AS Monaco back in 2017 for £43m, played 45 times last season, winning the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

Get your hands on your club's special edition 2021/22 annual. Find out more here.

Source: Read Full Article