Even as FC Barcelona do their personal best to bring in the highest quality of talent possible to the Catalan club, aiming to improve their chances of making a strong impact on the 2023/2024 season, other European rivals are also advancing.
A player that FC Barcelona are quite fond of, especially club coach Xavi Hernandez, is Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. The 28-year-old Portuguese star is one of the best talents across Europe at the moment and is coming off one of the highest points of his career, having completed the continental treble with Manchester City last season.
Understandably, the operation concerning Bernardo Silva, if it occurs, would be one that requires excessive financial muscle and the ability to spend exorbitantly on this world-class player, something that FC Barcelona are unable to do at the moment given their rather restrictive economic condition.
However, it is widely rumored that following City’s triumph in the UEFA Champions League, Pep Guardiola had assured the Portuguese midfielder that his departure would be facilitated and made easier. Now, as per a report from Mundo Deportivo, the former Barcelona manager has already chosen his preferred replacement.
While Barcelona continue to compete for Bernardo Silva’s signature against the primary interest of the French club Paris Saint-Germain, the latter does not possess the financial concerns that Barcelona currently does. Meanwhile, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola turn their attention towards the Italian Serie A.
According to the report, Guardiola’s preferred replacement is none other than 26-year-old Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella, for whom it is speculated that Inter will be tough negotiators. Barella’s determined price could possibly even reach figures close to €100 million.
As it stands, it remains to be seen just how far the negotiations will progress for both Barcelona and Manchester City in terms of their respective star targets. But one thing remains certain—there is still a long way to go in the summer transfer window of 2023.