MX23RW : Monday, December 16 03:13:18| >> :120:14071:14071:

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.

ID:507604:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5131:
Written by
Matt Law

Bernardo Silva future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Bernardo Silva

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Lionel Messi in action for Paris Saint-Germain on November 2, 2022
Read Next:
Neville confirms Inter Miami interest in Messi, Busquets
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!