The long-speculated departure of Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele seems to be imminent as he looks set to join French side Paris Saint-Germain in a deal speculated to be worth around €50 million.
This news has also been confirmed by both Xavi and Sergi Roberto, Barcelona head coach and first captain respectively. As a result, fans of La Blaugrana remain disappointed as they look set to lose one of their most valuable assets in an unexpected turn of events.
However, there may be a silver lining within the fact that Barcelona have already begun to move in the transfer window in order to evaluate and assess the potential replacements they can bring in for the Frenchman.
For some time now, speculation has suggested that Manchester City and Portugal National team star Bernardo Silva is the priority target for Xavi Hernandez as he fulfills the coach’s desire to bring in a direct replacement on the right wing as well as being a more than capable interior in midfield.
As per Spanish journalist Javi Miguel, it is indeed his belief as well that Bernardo Silva is the priority target for Barcelona and Dembele’s departure potentially reignites Barca’s serious interest in the 28-year-old.
Moreover, Barcelona are at a stage where they believe a gesture of prominence from the player himself will be crucial in order to progress this operation knowing full well that Manchester City do not intend to make this an easy target for FC Barcelona.
The player himself is also attracted to Barcelona and may possibly be open to aiding the club in making such an impression so that a more feasible route can be established for the Portuguese star to make his way to Spain.
As a contingency, Barcelona have also kept open the option of Argentine midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso in case the operation for Bernardo Silva does not come to fruition according to Javi Miguel.
It will be interesting to see how either scenario develops, but as it stands the most reliable sources have thus hinted that two Manchester City stars, Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo, remain the priority targets for Barcelona following the departure of Ousmane Dembele.