Barcelona are working to sign Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva after Xavi Hernández identified him as a priority target, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The La Liga side’s sporting leaders, Mateu Alemany and Deco, had a meeting with president Joan Laporta and other top officials of the club on Thursday. They all met again on Friday to prepare a strategy to sign the 28-year-old.
The Manchester City star dreams of Barca, according to the claims, but the two clubs have to agree a deal for this to become a reality.
It’s claimed Barca’s intention at a ‘formal level’ is to take Silva on loan with a mandatory purchase option that ‘guarantees a good amount’ to the Citizens.
If this offer is rejected by Pep Guardiola’s side, they would have to consider buying him. In that case, the Catalan club have to carry out a few sales to raise funds and lower their wage bill.
Mundo relay claims made by journalist Gerard Romero that Barca have already informed La Liga about their desire to ‘make an important move’ to sign Silva. They are ready to offer him a three-year deal worth €11m net per year.
The report says the pressure exerted by the Portugal international and his agent, Jorge Mendes, to leave Manchester City gives the Blaugrana confidence to carry out the deal.
Should Barca take the firm step, Mundo say Silva will ask Guardiola to let him go.
Either way, Barcelona will have to step up their efforts soon if they wish to sign Xavi’s main target.
