Barcelona are ‘set to make another move for Bernardo Silva in January after Gerard Pique’s retirement has made a transfer financially possible… as Xavi believes the Manchester City playmaker could take his side to the next level’
- Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is of interest to Barcelona again
- They were keen on the playmaker in the summer but couldn’t pull of a move
- But, Gerard Pique’s retirement has made a January transfer financially possible
- Silva is keen to join Barcelona but his club may not let depart in mid-season
Barcelona are set to make another move for Bernardo Silva in January, according to reports.
The Manchester City midfielder has been a target for the Catalan giants before and Silva even asked Pep Guardiola’s side if he was able to leave in the summer.
He has been in fine form for City this season, scoring two goals and laying on five assists in 12 Premier League games.
Barcelona are set to make another move for Bernardo Silva in January, according to reports
And according to Spanish outlet Sport, the shock retirement of Gerard Pique has unexpectedly given Barcelona the opportunity and financial ability to make a move for Silva.
Marca had reported that by announcing his retirement, Pique has saved the club about £44m, significantly helping the cash-strapped club to juggle their finances and increase their Financial Fair Play margin.
Barcelona are desperate to strengthen after crashing out of the Champions League group stage for a second successive season and want to bring in a midfielder, centre-back and right winger, but they are now strongly considering a January move for Silva.
The retirement of legendary defender Gerard Pique is set to save Barcelona significant money
Xavi believes that Silva is a player who has the pedigree to take his side to the next level
The playmaker is willing to move and the report states that Barcelona would be able to afford his asking price, but City would have to be convinced to sell such a key player mid-season.
Silva’s links with the Catalan giants emerged in the summer, when his agent Jorge Mendes made it clear that the midfielder was keen on the move.
The 28-year-old informed City of his intention to leave but the move never came to fruition as Barcelona prioritised other signings, and were unable to move on Frenkie de Jong.
However, Xavi is still a huge fan, and believes that Silva is the sort of footballer that could take his side to the next level as he builds his own project at the Nou Camp.
Before Pique’s retirement, the plan for Barcelona was to go all in for either Silva or club icon Lionel Messi at the end of the season when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
By saving significant sums of cash with Pique’s retirement, Barcelona now have an opportunity to make a move for SIlva in January.
Xavi is set to meet with the club’s hierarchy in the near future to analyse the future options for the club following Pique’s departure and plan important steps in the transfer market.
But what is the case is that if there is a chance to bring in Silva in the winter window, it is an opportunity they will do all they can to take.
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