One Manchester City player will reportedly not be making a move to Barcelona this summer.
So far this summer, it was been quiet at City on the transfers front.
There have not yet been any incoming or outgoings, just lots of speculation. Savio should soon be confirmed as a signing, after a deal was agreed earlier this year. But aside from him, there is nothing.
Most of the talk so far has been about players potentially leaving City.
And one such player is Bernardo Silva, who is currently on duty with Portugal at Euro 2024 – the star was on target for his country in the 3-0 win over Turkey on Saturday evening.
Bernardo’s future has long been the subject of speculation.
Earlier this summer, it was reported Bernardo wanted his future resolving by the end of the Euros.
Seemingly, one club he won’t be joining, is long-term admirers Barcelona.
Barcelona give up Bernardo Silva pursuit due to financial struggles
It has been reported by Marca today that Barcelona are now ending their pursuit of Manchester City star Bernardo Silva.
Supposedly, the Catalan giants are not in a position financially to sign the former AS Monaco man.
The club are said to still be overstretched with their wage bill, and they simply do not have the economic capacity to do a deal.
Currently, Bernardo has a £50 million release clause active. But that clause will expire on June 30.
If Barca had been able to solve their financial issues before that date, then they likely would have been able to trigger that release clause. But it doesn’t sound like they’ll be able to do that, and Bernardo’s clause expiring would make it practically impossible for them to sign him.
Barcelona have long loved Bernardo, and it is actually claimed that they expressed interest in him as far back as when he left Benfica for Monaco 10 years ago.
Bernardo staying would be a major boost
So it looks like Barcelona won’t be able to sign Bernardo this summer, and that is no real surprise as they continue to struggle with their finances.
Bernardo, who City signed for £43 million, is a player they’ve coveted for a long time. But they just aren’t in a position to get him, and this is good news for City and Pep Guardiola, who has previously branded him ‘one of the best players I’ve ever seen in my life’.
Obviously there are other clubs who could come in for him.
But Barca not being able to sign him surely means there is a decent chance of him staying at City a little while longer.
And that would be amazing, because Bernardo is one of the best players in the world and one of the club’s best-ever signings.