News Focus
- Barcelona reach verbal agreement with Bernardo Silva on personal terms
- Manchester City midfielder will become a free agent when his contract expires this summer
- Proposed deal covers two seasons at the Catalan club
- Manager Hansi Flick has not yet approved the transfer
- Atletico Madrid and Juventus also pursued the 31-year-old
FC Barcelona have moved closer to securing their third major signing of the summer after agreeing personal terms with Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva. The 31-year-old Portugal international will leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract ends next month, following nine successful years in English football.
According to reports from Italy and Spain, the Catalan side have settled on a two-year contract with the midfielder. However, the club must wait for the right moment to make the deal official due to strict salary cap rules in La Liga.
Silva had interest from other top European clubs. Atletico Madrid held positive discussions with the player, while Juventus also made an approach. Despite this, the midfielder will prioritise a move to Barcelona, where members of his family already live. His agent, Jorge Mendes, who maintains strong connections with the Spanish club, has full authority to complete the negotiations.
The potential transfer faces one obstacle. Manager Hansi Flick has not yet given his approval for the signing. Earlier reports suggested the German coach believes his squad already has sufficient options in midfield. Flick previously blocked a move for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni due to similar concerns about squad balance.
Barcelona have already agreed a deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. They are also pursuing Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. Club sources told ESPN that Silva remains a “real option” for the team ahead of next season.