Bernardo 'gutted' as Barca move for Man City teammate

Stuart Telford

• 2 Apr 2023 11:39 BST
• 3 min read

Bernardo Silva had hoped to move to Barcelona next summer but their financial turmoil means a move for the out of contract Ilkay Gundogan is more viable.

Bernardo has long been a top transfer target for Barca, but he has a contract with Manchester City which runs until June 2025 and his current employers want in the region of €100 million for his signature.

That is a figure far beyond Barcelona's reach - the Blaugrana have been told to reduce their debt by €200 million in they want to take part in La Liga next season, and Gundogan, who will cost nothing, is a far more likely acquisition.

READ: Barcelona could be BANNED from Champions League as UEFA opens investigation

Bernardo 'cost prohibitive'

"Barcelona are in the midst of financial fair play difficulties and Silva's price tag would make him cost prohibitive," report the Express. "The playmaker's agent has been informed that they will not be pursuing the opportunity to bring him in."

Pep Guardiola, a Barcelona legend as a player then manager, has previously admitted that Bernardo would like to move to Camp Nou.

"I don't want him to go," he said last summer. "He's a superlative player and a great person... and there are only seven or eight days left [in the transfer 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."

READ: Man City star Bernardo Silva's €50m offer

Bernardo and Gundogan have both been key figures for City this season, starting most games and contributing nine and seven goal-contributions respectively.

Barca will focus on the free transfer market, meanwhile, with Gundogan potentially joined by Lionel Messi at Camp Nou next summer, with the club legend also out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

As with Bernardo, Guardiola won't stand in Gundogan's way.

"The club knows it and it is a question for him and his agent," he said recently. "What is going to happen I'm pretty sure is going to be good for him…"