Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly expressed a firm interest in Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva and are willing to trigger the €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract this summer.
The 29-year-old has established himself as an integral cog in Pep Guardiola's machine since joining the Citizens from Monaco in July 2017, scoring 63 goals and registering 62 assists in 335 games across all tournaments.
Bernardo's latest strike came in City's 3-1 away victory over Copenhagen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, increasing his goal tally for the season to eight in 29 games.
The Portugal international has won 15 trophies during his memorable six-and-a-half-year spell at Man City, and he is hoping to add three more pieces of silverware to his collection as the Citizens chase down another Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble this season.
However, Bernardo admitted in January last year that he is keen to begin a "new project" away from the Etihad Stadium, and the versatile playmaker has been consistently linked with an exit ever since.
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The likes of PSG, Barcelona and clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Hilal, were all credited with an interest in Bernardo last summer, and the former are said to be keen to reignite their interest ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
According to Fichajes, PSG boss Luis Enrique has given the green light for PSG to step up their pursuit of Bernardo, with the Ligue 1 champions prepared to activate the player's €60m (£51m) release clause.
Bernardo penned a new contract at Man City in September last year, keeping him tied to the Etihad Stadium until 2026, but that has not stopped the rumour mill from linking the Portuguese with an exit.
PSG are said to be confident that they can reach an agreement with Bernardo and pull out all the stops financially to win the race for his signature.
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The French giants are regarded as one of the richest clubs in world football, but they could receive a significant boost financially if star striker Kylian Mbappe were to leave the club this summer.
Mbappe, who allegedly earns in excess of £800,000 a week, is due to see his PSG contract expire in June and has been heavily linked with a transfer to Real Madrid.
With or without Mbappe, PSG are keen to build a squad capable of winning an elusive Champions League trophy, and have identified Bernardo as one of their primary targets ahead of the new campaign.
However, PSG could face competition for Bernardo's signature from Benfica, as the playmaker recently expressed his desire to return to his boyhood club before he hangs up his boots.
Oliver Thomas
