New development at Manchester City hasn’t stopped player ‘thinking’ about transfer

On August 23rd, Bernardo Silva signed a new contract at Manchester City until 2026.

Barcelona showed keen interest in the 29-year-old this summer but their formula to sign him on a free loan deal with a mandatory purchase of €50m wasn’t accepted by the Citizens.

This is highlighted by Tuesday’s Mundo Deportivo, who then state the Manchester City star is ‘thinking about Barcelona’ even after signing a renewal.

The Portugal international is one of the most important players for Pep Guardiola but ‘that wasn’t reflected in his contract’ as he isn’t one of the top earners at the Etihad.

Silva had initially refused to accept the renewal offered by the treble winners due to his wish to join the Catalan club. They weren’t able to secure his services due to financial difficulties.

This resulted in the attacking midfielder signing a new contract at Manchester City with an improved salary and a £50m release clause.

Mundo say this is a ‘pro-Barca clause’ and it was included because he continues to have the desire to make a switch to the Camp Nou.

Silva will be 30 years of age next August and Barcelona will have to make a decision on whether to invest £50m to sign him in the summer of 2024.