Earlier this week, the Premier League charged Manchester City with “alleged breaches” of the financial rules and referred the English champions to an independent commission.
Mundo Deportivo now state Barcelona are very attentive to the situation at the Etihad and any possible sanctions which could facilitate the departure of some of their players.
Barca have long had Bernardo Silva on their agenda. Xavi Hernández is an admirer of the 28-year-old and his name is underlined in red on the La Liga side’s list of targets.
They failed to sign the Manchester City star last summer because the Blaugrana were not able to meet the €100m price tag. In the event Pep Guardiola’s side face sanctions, they would be forced to lower Silva’s asking price.
Barcelona have a good relationship with the Portugal international’s agent, Jorge Mendes, and have maintained contact. This, coupled with the player’s desire to join the Spanish giants, could facilitate the operation.
Apart from Silva, Xavi’s side are also very attentive to İlkay Gündoğan and Rodri. The German has a deal expiring in June and Barca’s leaders are working on his possible arrival as a free agent in the summer.
If the Premier League winners were to be relegated from the Premier League, then ‘fishing’ at City would be affordable for Barcelona.