Barcelona make Bernardo Silva revelation that deals De Jong blow to Man Utd and Chelsea

Robin Bairner

7 Aug 2022 08:01 BST
3 min read

Bernardo Silva, Man City, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Barcelona will sign Bernardo Silva for Manchester City this summer regardless of whether they sell Frenkie de Jong, according to reports in Spain.

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Barca have conducted a spectacular transfer window in which they have signed Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde on big money, despite being forced to sell off club assets in order to fund these moves.

Although there are still concerns whether the new additions will be registered in time to face Rayo Vallecano in their La Liga opener next Saturday, they are nevertheless pursuing the addition of Silva from City.

De Jong sale not necessary

Sport reports that key to the deal will be Bernardo Silva’s desire to go to Barcelona, with the club already having secured a buy in from the player.

Initially, it was thought that Barca would have to sell Frenkie de Jong – Manchester United and Chelsea remain interest in him – to fund the deal, yet the Camp Nou club are now confident of triggering the deal in another fashion.

A further economic lever could be employed to not only fund a move for Bernardo Silva, but also to “guarantee” that all the summer signings are registered – all without selling De Jong to either of the Premier League sides.

Xavi remains a fan of the Netherlands international player but has threatened to play him at centre-back this season, with the former Ajax man deployed there in the club’s earlier pre-season fixtures. Since then, though, they have added Jules Kounde to their ranks.

De Jong’s wage demands, meanwhile, are the big sticking point in his future at the club, with Barcelona pushing him to take a huge wage cut to allow him to fit into their new wage structure. De Jong has been reluctant to do this, leaving Barcelona and Man Utd, in particular, in a state of uncertainty.

Indeed, the revelation that Barca could buy Bernardo Silva without selling him is a blow to the clubs chasing De Jong, despite questions arriving over the wisdom of the Catalans selling off yet more long-term assets.