Barcelona is reportedly still keen on signing Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva..
Over the summer, the Portugal international was heavily linked with a move to the Catalan club, but the transfer window closed with the playmaker still at the Etihad Stadium.
Bernardo has been a key player for Pep Guardiola’s side this season, making 22 appearances across all competitions and contributing two goals and five assists.
The attacker has two goals and five assists in 14 Premier League appearances, and he has appeared in all six of their Champions League group stage matches..
Bernardo informed Manchester City in the summer of 2021 that he intended to leave the club for personal reasons, as he wished to be closer to his family in Portugal, which he still does.
According to a recent report, Barcelona had given up hope of signing the attacker in January, with Manchester City refusing to enter into any negotiations at the start of 2023..
However, according to Sport, the Portuguese international remains a priority target for the Catalan club, who are determined to sign him during the summer transfer window.
According to the report, Manchester City were willing to let him leave over the summer, but Barcelona were unable to raise the necessary funds due to financial difficulties..
Bernardo, who is under contract with Guardiola until June 2025, is said to be open to a move to Xavi’s side at the end of the season.
In 273 appearances for Man City, the former Monaco playmaker has 50 goals and 56 assists while winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and four EFL Cups.
During a period of intense speculation surrounding the attacker’s future, City manager Pep Guardiola admitted over the summer that Bernardo “likes Barcelona a lot.”
“I’m not the person to tell Barcelona to forget about (signing) Bernardo. We want him to stay, but I don’t want anyone who is unhappy..
The first step would be for the clubs to reach an agreement, but no offer for him has been made in the last two years,” Guardiola told reporters at the time.
“I don’t want him to leave because he’s a fantastic player and a wonderful person… but there are only seven or eight days left in the window and we’d have to look elsewhere.” I’d like him to stay. Bernardo, on the other hand, adores Barcelona.”
Bernardo is currently on the Portugal squad for the 2022 World Cup, and he is widely expected to start the tournament opener against Ghana on November 24.
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