Barcelona switch attention from one Man City star to another

Suraj Radia

• 12 Mar 2023 12:32 GMT
• 2 min read

Barcelona are continuing to target a raid on Manchester City but the Catalans are set to concede defeat on being able to secure their top target from the Premier League side.

City and Barcelona have a strong relationship and the clubs have previously done business together over the likes of Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres and there is expected to be more dialogue between the two teams this summer.

Barca have lined up a number of Pep Guardiola’s star players in a plan described as ‘Project Man City’ and Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva has been a long-term target for the La Liga side.

SWEEPS: Barca eyeing multiple players in 'Project Man City'

However, with Barca’s financial situation still in a precarious position, the club are growing to accept that they may once again fail in their efforts for Silva, having tried to sign him for the past two years.

Silva is keen on a move to Barca but City will not let him leave for less than €70 million, prompting a change in target, with Ilkay Gundogan now being lined up for a move to the Camp Nou

Gundogan is out of contract in the summer and looks set to leave despite being an integral part of Guardiola’s side and the 33-year-old is described by Mundo Deportivo as ‘welcoming’ a move to Barca.

Barca switching to cheaper alternatives

Barca have been told that they need to raise €200m in player sales before being allowed to sign new players, making desired moves for the likes of Silva, Aymeric Laporte and Julian Alvarez unrealistic due to City’s valuation of them.

Gundogan is seen as an alternative to Pedri and would represent a value option, with Barca considering replacements for Sergio Busquets, who is also out of contract in the summer.

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Another target for Barca is reported to be Dani Parejo, the midfielder who could be released by Villarreal, although Gundogan is preferred to the 34-year-old.

Barca’s resignation in signing Silva could see the 28-year-old consider signing a new deal at City, where he is entering into the final two years of his contract and aware that he would have to take a pay cut to leave the club.