Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted that he "would like" the La Liga champions to sign Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva this summer.
The Citizens are allegedly growing increasingly pessimistic about the prospect of keeping hold of the 28-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a summer exit from the Etihad Stadium.
Bernardo is believed to be seeking a fresh challenge after six seasons with Man City, winning 14 trophies as well as contributing with 55 goals and 59 assists in 306 appearances across all tournaments.
The Portugal international was a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine that won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble last season, chipping in with seven goals and eight assists in 55 games – only Rodri (56) played more matches for City than the playmaker in 2022-23.
Bernardo has two years remaining on his contract, but he is understood to have informed the Citizens of his desire to leave the club ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, alerting a number of clubs including Barcelona.
💣🚨JOAN LAPORTA sobre BERNARDO SILVA
— Soc Blaugrana (@socblaugranafc) July 17, 2023
👀La respuesta del presidente, Joan Laporta, al ser preguntado por Bernardo Silva:
😱¿Vas a fichar a Bernardo Silva?
Laporta: ¡Ya me gustaría, ya!🔥
🎥 @socblaugranafc pic.twitter.com/cS8VSh4p1x
The Catalan giants have held an interest in Bernardo for some time, but their financial troubles are believed to be preventing them from pursuing a big-money swoop for the £75m-rated playmaker.
Nevertheless, Barcelona are seemingly still in the race for his signature as new footage has emerged of club president Laporta revealing his desire to sign Man City's No.20.
In a short video posted on Twitter by Soc Blaugrana, Laporta was asked by supporters if Barca are going to sign Bernardo and he replied: "I would like to now".
While Barcelona may struggled to stump up a substantial fee for Bernardo, it is thought that they may consider a swap deal with Man City, with one report claiming that they could offer Frenkie de Jong in exchange for the Portuguese.
© Reuters
Barca have already lured one player away from the Etihad this summer after completing the signing of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer at the end of last month.
The Catalan giants are expected to face competition for Bernardo's signature, though, as both Paris Saint-Germain and Al-Hilal are also keeping tabs on his situation.
Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are allegedly willing to pay Man City €70m (£59.8m) to sign the playmaker and can offer him €50m (£43.42m) a year in wages over a three-year contract.
PSG, meanwhile, have reportedly offered goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and midfielder Marco Verratti to the Citizens in exchange for Bernardo, but the treble winners have swiftly rejected the proposal.
Bernardo is expected to travel with the Man City squad to Tokyo for two pre-season friendlies against Yokohama F Marinos and Bayern Munich later this month.
Oliver Thomas
