There have been a lot of changes in the FC Barcelona midfield in the last few months. Important players like Sergio Busquets have left the club, while other highly competent players like Ilkay Gundogan have joined the squad.
Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Gavi have also grown significantly in the last few years, and Fermin Lopez has been a breakout player this season.
However, there is still another midfielder that Xavi dreams of having in his team, Bernardo Silva. The Catalans tried to incorporate him into their team in the last summer transfer window, but Manchester City, who had already lost key players like Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, were not willing to part with the attacking midfielder at any cost.
This situation of the Portuguese midfielder has not changed, and is not even expected to change in the coming few years, according to comments made by the Benfica President, Rui Costa, which have been reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Benfica was the club where Bernardo Silva rose to prominence before joining Monaco, where he went on to become one of the best players in his position. Recently, Silva had expressed his desire to return and play for the Portuguese club before hanging up his boots.
However, Rui Costa was almost sure that Silva would not be leaving the Manchester club any time soon, as he commented:
“Bernardo Silva has open doors at any club, given his stature. At home, of course, even more so. He himself said it. I was also there as a player, and I know it doesn’t solely depend on the player, but also on the club he represents.”
“Bernardo, on the day he decides, or when he can, to return to Benfica, whoever the president is will have to make that decision. As it won’t be until 2025, I can’t make any decisions about it.”
Thus, from Costa’s comments, it can be inferred that Silva is likely to remain at Manchester City for at least two more seasons because even if he himself wants to join another side, he will still have to respect Manchester City’s decision.
Furthermore, Silva’s emotional attachment with the Portuguese club will also complicate the operation for Barcelona even when he leaves the Premier League side.
The midfielder is currently 29 years of age and will have passed the 30-year mark in 2026, a point from which athletes normally start declining in their physical attributes. So, even if Silva joins Barcelona after a few years, the Catalans are likely to be getting him after he has already played his best football.
