Barcelona and PSG are both interested in signing Bernardo Silva but the MCFC midfielder might end up joining a Saudi team, claims Football Insider.
The 28-year-old was an integral part of the Manchester City squad this season and his performances went a long way in helping the club secure a historic treble. His contract with City expires in 2025 and Pep Guardiola has made it clear that he is not ready to part ways with the midfielder.
However, it’s being claimed that the MCFC management does not share the same views and they are now ready to accept an offer for Silva.
His market value right now is £68 million but a transfer fee of around £45-50 million should be enough to trigger a sale.
Will MCFC accept an offer for one of the best players?
It is believed Bernardo Silva wants to join PSG and even Barcelona is ready to challenge for the 28-year-old but both these European giants could miss out because Al Hilal is in the race as well.
The Saudi team is said to be offering mind boggling amounts to Silva and forget Barcelona but even PSG might not be able to match these figures. Riyad Mahrez has been offered a €25 million yearly salary package in the Middle East so a player like Silva will get far more.
As far as MCFC is concerned, their manager is trying really hard not to lose Silva but the club’s owners have other ideas. Guardiola has already lost Ilkay Gundogan who’s moved to Spain so very naturally he wants to keep Bernardo Silva beyond the summer but in the end, his wish might not be granted.
The club has signed Mateo Kovacic but Croatian is a central midfielder while Silva is a No 10. If Silva and Gundogan both leave then Manchester City will have to bring in two new midfielders and replacing these two quality players won’t be a cheap and easy task.
Will Barcelona and PSG miss out on Bernardo Silva?
The Saudi clubs have been offering insane salary packages and a series of top players have ditched European glory to head to the Middle East. The likes of Kante, Ruben Neves and Koulibaly have all joined Saudi teams and if Silva has a similar mindset then Barca or PSG do not stand a chance.
However, in a recent interview journalist Andy Brassell said that the Portuguese is someone who is not tempted by money and if this is true then the two European giants will have a fighting chance of signing the MCFC midfielder.
He talkSPORT: “He’s wanted to go for a couple of years and it’s nothing to do with dissatisfaction about the way he’s treated at City or about the football project.
“I interviewed him a couple of times, he’s just a curious guy, he’s a worldly guy, he’s not a footballer who’s obsessed with money or cars or anything like that, he drove a Smart Car in his first couple of years at Manchester City.
“He’s someone who wants to see the world, I think he’s taken stock a little bit, he’s just got married last week and him and his wife, I think, want to go and see something else.
“The counterpoint to this is after losing [Ilkay] Gundogan, City want to keep him, as you said he’s arguably their most important player.
“If Man City offer him enough money to make him want to stay, like I said, I don’t think it’s all about money, but I think feeling wanted is very important.”
Honestly, if City have made up their mind then Guardiola won’t have much of a say but the only problem we have is that the reported £45-50 million transfer fee is far too low for someone as talented as Bernardo Silva. Also, the midfielder is said to be keen to want a new challenge so it will be even harder for the MCFC manager to convince him to stay.
