'Bernardo Silva likes Barcelona a lot' - Guardiola
Robin Bairner
- 25 Aug 2022 08:15 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that he won’t try to dissuade Bernardo Silva from moving to Barcelona this summer.
Bernardo is a transfer target for the Catalan side, and though he has been a key figure for the Premier League champions for several years, he could be allowed to depart to Barca should they table a suitable offer.
Certainly, the player will have been impressed with the welcome he was given at Camp Nou on Wednesday, where he was applauded by the home fans during a friendly encounter between the clubs that ended in a spectacular 3-3 draw.
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Speaking after the game, Guardiola said: “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.
“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.”
Will Bernardo Silva join Barcelona?
The prospects of Bernardo Silva completing a move to Barcelona this summer are decreasing because of the Catalans’ financial situation. Their position is also made more vulnerable because of PSG's interest in the player.
They have been unable to field Jules Kounde in the first two matches of the La Liga season because he has not been registered, and even if Barca were to find the funds to complete a transfer – it would cost in excess of €75 million – they would have to make additional space on their wage bill so he could be cleared for action.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are working on an exit strategy for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who appears Chelsea bound, but that alone will not be enough to secure Bernardo Silva. It will likely take Frenkie de Jong to leave, too.
