Barcelona’s interest in Bernardo Silva is not a novel development.
The Blaugranas have eyed the Portuguese international’s signing even as recently as last season but were forced to back out for economic concerns.
Indeed, they have not recovered from their financial struggles even a year later.
Yet, some key departures along with a partial liquidation of Barça Studios give them hope of financing the midfielder’s arrival this summer.
According to reports from ARA Esports, Barcelona offer to sign Silva on loan with the option to make it permanent for €50 million.
Pep Guardiola’s side, however, considers the offer absurd.
Manchester City’s clear stance
According to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League side formally informed the Catalans that Silva is not for sale this summer.
Guardiola considers the star to be vital for the team’s plans and does not contemplate his departure by any means.
In fact, he openly spoke about the 28-year-old’s importance earlier this week.
“They are so important to us. We want them to stay here and will do everything,” he said about Silva and Kyle Walker, who is a target for Bayern Munich.
City are in the process of offering the star player a new contract to tie him down to the club for the years to come.
The only factor working in Barcelona’s factor is Silva’s desire to don garnet-and-blue.
The valuation imbalance
Bernardo Silva’s valuation currently stands at €80 million, and it is clear that the English team will accept nothing less for his signing.
Barcelona’s €50 million purchase clause attached to a loan move thus does strike as an underwhelming attempt.
The pressure is now on the Catalans to try and improve their offer in the coming days.
Everything, as it stands, depends on how much they can recoup from Ousmane Dembele’s ‘private clause’ and Franck Kessie’s sale.
