Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva is on the front-page of Thursday’s Sport as Barcelona still have a firm desire to secure his services in the summer window.
The La Liga side have had issues registering their new signings so far and must lower their wage mass before making an approach for the 28-year-old.
Despite this situation, the Catalan club are determined to push to land the Manchester City player as they are clear he is a strategic signing for their new project.
The Portugal international has an agreement in place with Xavi Hernández’s side and understands the case cannot be dragged on any longer. Through his agent, Jorge Mendes, he has asked the Blaugrana to make the definitive move before it’s too late.
Silva is ‘willing to confirm his desire to go to the Camp Nou publicly’, but will not take this step unless Barca make an offer to Manchester City. The Spanish giants are working to lower their wage bill to carry out his signing and there could be news in the coming days.
Pep Guardiola’s star is a ‘priority’ target for Barcelona, and ‘whatever it takes’, they are going to launch an offensive for his signing in the last days of the window.
Reports in England have said the Citizens will not let the player leave for less than €100m, but the information handled by Barca and Mendes indicates different figures. Sport go on to add there is a conviction a deal can be carried out for €80m including bonuses.
Although Silva has an agreement in place with Barcelona, he understands the operation will be complicated at this stage of the transfer window.
A section of Barca’s board believe it’s too complicated for Silva to arrive at the Camp Nou if Frenkie de Jong were to stay. The operation would be practically impossible if the Dutchman stays and refuses to take a pay cut.
Sport state: ‘…Bernardo Silva is willing to adjust his salary a lot, especially the first year, to fulfil his dream of playing for the Blaugrana. Barca have been gestating the operation for months with his agent, Jorge Mendes, and all parties are clear that it is time to decide whether to go forward or not.’
