Bernardo Silva is in talks with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid following the midfielder’s departure from Manchester City.
Barcelona have been aware of Silva’s desire to join for several months but are currently focussing on the signings of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Julian Alvarez, the latter being their priority of the transfer window.
Atletico’s proposed salary to Bernardo is higher than Barcelona’s but the situation remains open.
Barcelona are expected to imminently announce the €80m capture of Gordon, and have been preparing a €100m offer for Alvarez.
Tensions between Barcelona and Atletico went public on Friday afternoon, a day after the news broke of their interest in Alvarez. Atletico made a series of AI social media posts about Barca players Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Raphinha joining the Madrid-based club, one of which had a caption which said, “Don’t believe everything you see, especially if it’s related to Barca”.
Silva, 31, announced in April that he would be leaving City in the summer after nine years in Manchester. He enjoyed a trophy-laden nine years there, having made the move from Monaco in the summer of 2017.
The Portuguese served as captain during his final season at the club, succeeding Kevin De Bruyne, who left a year earlier. Silva made 460 appearances for City, becoming the club’s eighth all-time record appearance maker.
Prior to Silva signing a contract extension with City in August 2023, he was the subject of a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, while The Athletic also reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
Silva remained a regular in Pep Guardiola’s selection during his final season at the club, appearing in every Premier League match, and missing only two Champions League fixtures, one of which was as an unused substitute.
The 107-cap Portugal international joined City from Monaco in the summer of 2017, and played a significant role in the club’s success over the past decade, encompassing the club’s historic treble in the 2022-23 season, comprising the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Silva won six Premier League titles with City, the FA Cup twice, and the Carabao Cup five times, including this season with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the March final.
