Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola have been dealt a possible Bernardo Silva worry as some last-minute news from Spain have emerged.
In an alternate universe, the Premier League champions could have lost a key player during the recent summer transfer window, with reliable reports claiming that Bernardo would have preferred to join Barcelona (Fabrizio Romano, via City Transfer Room).
Barcelona was very interested in signing the Portugal international, with reports claiming that he was one of Xavi’s top transfer targets, but the La Liga giants fell short of City’s rumored £85 million transfer demands.
Bernardo then committed his future to the Sky Blues, at least for now, calling the club ‘unbelievable’ and exclaiming his happiness at Eastlands (via The Athletic).
THE LATEST: BARCA HAS NOT YET GIVEN UP ON BERNARDO…
However, as news emerged over the last 48 hours, it appears that might not be the end of the saga.
On Friday morning, Sport claimed that Barca ‘have not yet given up on signing the midfielder and ‘will return as soon as they have a chance, with the report going on to reiterate that Bernardo ‘wanted’ the move.
According to this latest report, Xavi’s side was ‘willing’ to make a real financial effort to sign the 28-year-old, and City themselves was open to talks.
Given the player’s past desire to make the move, Barca’s determination, and City’s willingness to negotiate, the Spanish side soon coming back in for Bernardo could be a worry for Guardiola.
The City boss has spoken publicly of the 28-year-old’s importance to the champions’ style of play and how losing the ‘irreplaceable’ attacker would be a real blow.
Bernardo was one of their players of the season over 2021/22 and has commenced the new campaign in fine fashion, scoring two goals and setting up two others in four league starts (WhoScored).
