Barcelona have been closely linked to Manchester City forward and attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva over the past couple of months, but the transfer rumors are starting to cool down as the reality of a deal starts to set in.
On paper, acquiring Bernardo Silva sounds like a dream for Barcelona. Silva is one of the best and most versatile players in the world – and all-around attacking weapon who is a willing and able ball-winner.
However, even with a release clause, Barcelona would have to severely strain themselves financially in order to acquire Silva from Manchester City, because the Portuguese international will cost nearly 60 million euros.
Signing Silva would come at the cost of upgrading key positions like the left wing and defensive midfield, and with Silva set to turn 30 next season, that may not be a wise investment.
According to a report from MARCA’s Luis Rojo, Barcelona would have to sell one of center back Ronald Araujo, center midfielder Frenkie de Jong, or right winger Raphinha in order to afford Bernardo Silva.
Selling Raphinha to sign Silva from Man City could make sense, but even parting ways with de Jong, who is on the transfer market, would be bizarre. De Jong is younger and arguably similar to Silva in quality.
Barcelona fans would likely be enraged if Araujo, one of the best young center backs in the world, were to be sold in order to sign a 30-year-old player who doesn’t fill a priority need.
If Barcelona want to splash cash on an attacker, many Culers would prefer an ambitious, world-class left winger to fill that need definitively – someone like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
As the summer 2024 transfer window draws nearer, the idea of signing Bernardo Silva from Manchester City sounds better on paper than it does in reality for La Blaugrana.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.