A Manchester City midfielder weighs up a free transfer to Barcelona as contract expiry opens the door to a sensational switch.
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta harbors grand ambitions for squad transformation, with a world-class playmaker long admired now entering free agency territory as his Etihad contract expires in June 2026.
The Catalan giants, buoyed by La Liga dominance and Champions League aspirations under Hansi Flick, see this as a golden opportunity to land elite talent without transfer fees amid ongoing financial recovery.
Deco’s scouting network has tracked the Portuguese maestro for years, valuing his technical brilliance, vision, and versatility to orchestrate midfield dominance alongside the club’s youthful core.
Starting January 1, preliminary talks could commence, positioning Barca favorably against rivals in a pre-contract race that promises to elevate their possession-based identity.
That midfielder is Bernardo Silva, the 31-year-old Manchester City linchpin whose nine-year stint yields 74 goals and 116 assists across 349 appearances, including five Premier League titles, as reported by Fichajes.
Persistent links to Camp Nou stem from his admiration for Barcelona’s philosophy, with Laporta viewing him as the creative fulcrum to succeed aging stars like Lewandowski.
Silva’s €60 million valuation drops to zero as free agency looms, though his €10 million annual salary demands wage bill maneuvering—potentially via sales or deferrals—to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play.
City’s reluctance to extend beyond 2026 aligns with Silva’s desire for new challenges, having rejected Saudi riches previously.
Barcelona’s project—topping La Liga, Copa del Rey triumph, and Flick’s tactical evolution—appeals strongly, offering a starring role in major trophies.
Laporta’s strategy emphasizes patience, prioritizing internal solutions like retraining Eric Garcia while targeting Silva for summer impact.
This pursuit embodies Barca’s resurgence: smart recruitment over extravagance.
Silva’s arrival could unlock Lamine Yamal’s potential, complement Raphinha’s flair, and restore midfield control lost since Iniesta’s era.
As rivals like PSG lurk, Barcelona’s early outreach signals intent to secure Laporta’s “big dream” on a Bosman, reshaping their trajectory without breaking the bank.
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