Manchester City star Bernardo Silva is seriously interested in signing for Barcelona, according to Portugal team-mate Joao Felix.
Bernardo, 29, has been continually linked with a move to Barca in recent years, while Paris Saint-Germain and clubs in Saudi Arabia are understood to be keen. The Portuguese winger signed a contract extension with City at the beginning of this season but only until the summer of 2026, and reports claim that a specific release clause was installed which only Barcelona can activate.
International team-mate Felix, who currently plays for Barca on loan from Atletico Madrid, has now claimed that Bernardo has been asking about life in the city and what it’s like to play for the club. Felix also insists that the City hero wants to inherit Lionel Messi’s iconic No.10 shirt, currently occupied by Ansu Fati, who’s spending this season on loan at Brighton.
Felix revealed in an interview, “His sister-in-law is here, [he’s asked me] about how things are here, the weather, tax issues… I told him it’s all right for him to come.”
The Atletico loanee also believes that Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo, who’s on loan at Barcelona from City until the end of the season, can help make Bernardo’s potential move a success. “If I were Deco (Barcelona’s sporting director) for a day I would sign Bernardo Silva without a doubt,” Felix explained.
“Have you seen him play? He’s even better as a person. He’s from Cancelo’s generation. Now players last until they are 35-36 years old. [But] I don’t think Manchester City will make it easy.
“For €50million (£42.8m) I would bring him, and for €60-70m (£51.4m-£60m) he’s worth it. He would like to wear the number 10. It’s a very important number at the club, you can’t give it to just anyone, you have to be careful. It’s my favourite number, but I’ve never worn it.”
Bernardo may’ve committed his short-term future to City back in August, but he’s already opened up on where he’d like to play before he retires – and Felix should be aware that it’s not Barcelona. Speaking last November, Bernardo confirmed: “I want to return to Benfica. If the club wants me at the time, obviously things will happen.”
Having signed the 29-year-old from Monaco for what now looks a bargain £43m in 2017, boss Pep Guardiola doesn’t want to lose him. Guardiola remarked after City’s recent FA Cup victory over Newcastle: “Everybody loves him and we want him. He’s really important for us.”