Barcelona will ‘initiate contact’ with Manchester City in the ‘next few days’ for Bernardo Silva, according to Sport.
The La Liga side have an agreement with the midfielder, through his agent Jorge Mendes, according to the report, but not with his club.
They plan to lower their wage bill and then start talks with the Citizens over a deal for the 28-year-old.
The Portugal international wanted to leave the Etihad last summer, but was convinced to stay by Pep Guardiola, with a promise to let him leave in this window. Both him and his agent expect the manager to comply.
Although the coach has said he doesn’t want to keep players who no longer want to stay at the club, another report from Sport states Manchester City ‘will not make things easy’ for Barca to sign their star.
With each passing day, City will find it more difficult to let go him since they will not be left with enough time to bring in a replacement. The English champions insist there’s been no call from Barca to register their interest in Silva nor has one come from Mendes.
Therefore, once Barca start their offensive for the former AS Monaco man, the pressure he will exert on Manchester City will be important to carry out the operation.
Over at AS, they also discuss the Spanish giants’ interest in Guardiola’s star and state the potential deal could them cost around €80m.
A few weeks ago, it was said Frenkie de Jong’s exit is vital for the Blaugrana to sign Silva. The Dutchman’s display against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend has now made the Barca coaches reflect on whether to let him leave.
AS explain that at the moment, the possibility to retain De Jong and find other ways to make room in the wage bill would be gaining strength at Barca.
One of the possible solutions could be selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea.
It would allow Xavi Hernández’s side to collect a projected €25m transfer fee and then lighten their wage bill as the Gabon international’s salary rises significantly from this season.
