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Barcelona 'keen to sign Bernardo Silva as Frenkie de Jong replacement'

Barcelona 'keen to sign Bernardo Silva as De Jong replacement'
© Reuters
Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva emerges as a summer transfer target for Barcelona, according to a report.

Barcelona will allegedly move for Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva this summer if Frenkie de Jong leaves the club.

De Jong's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, and a recent report claimed that Manchester United were in advanced talks with the Netherlands international over a move to Old Trafford.

The midfielder has again been a key player for his Catalan club this term, making 45 appearances in all competitions, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.

However, Barcelona's financial problems could lead to them selling the Dutchman in the upcoming market, with incoming Man United boss Erik ten Hag said to be keen on a reunion with the player that he had at Ajax.

According to Mundo Deportivo, should De Jong leave this summer, the La Liga outfit will target Man City's Bernardo as his replacement.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong pictured in October 2021© Reuters

The Portugal international has excelled for the Citizens during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 13 times and registering seven assists in 48 appearances in all competitions.

Bernardo told Man City that he wanted to leave the club last summer in order to move closer to his family, with the Spanish league an option for the playmaker.

The attacker ultimately remained at Etihad Stadium, but he is believed to be unhappy with his lifestyle in England and could again signal a desire to switch clubs in the upcoming market.

"Bernardo Silva wants to leave. There are two or three players who want to go. When they bring some offer and they want to leave, we are open to discuss... but it depends on them," Guardiola told reporters last summer.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese said earlier this year that he wants to return to his home country in the near future.

"I miss Portugal a lot. If I could go back in a year or two, I would. Not only because I would like to play for Benfica again, but because I miss my family and living in Portugal very much," he told Channel 11.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their third goal against Watford on December 4, 2021© Reuters

Mundo Deportivo claim that a move to Barcelona would be of interest to the attacker, while his agent Jorge Mendes has a close relationship with the Spanish club's president Joan Laporta.

Bernardo came through the youth system at Benfica before representing their first team on three occasions ahead of a switch to Monaco, where his form ultimately earned him a move to Man City in 2017.

The Portuguese has won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cup trophies during his time in Manchester, scoring 48 goals and registering 51 assists in 249 appearances in all competitions.

The attacker is bidding to help Man City win another Premier League title this season, but the club fell short in the Champions League once again, losing to Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

The Citizens are in a strong position when it comes to Bernardo's future, as his contract with Pep Guardiola's team still has more than three years left to run, having signed a long extension in March 2019.

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