Barcelona are in need of more star power in the summer 2024 transfer window after falling behind badly in the LaLiga title race and then getting embarrassed again in the Champions League knockout rounds – by PSG, no less.
Manchester City right winger and midfielder Bernardo Silva is one top name suggested as an upgrade for Barcelona, and his possible transfer was reportedly discussed during the talks to keep Xavi as manager for the 2024/25 season.
However, Diario Sport is now reporting that Barcelona do not view Bernardo Silva as a priority on the transfer market, because they think his 58 million euro release clause is actually excessively expensive.
Barcelona feel that spending that much money on a 29-year-old player is too much. Furthermore, they view signing a defensive midfielder as a bigger priority than adding a right-sided attacker or attacking midfielder.
If Silva were cheaper, they would be more interested in signing him despite his age and their desire to prioritize other positions in the XI.
Although this rumor will be met by frustration by many Barcelona fans, it makes sense on some level. Barcelona already have an elite, young right winger in Lamine Yamal, as well as a quartet of excellent midfielders in Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, and Silva’s former Man City teammate Ilkay Gundogan.
The problem is Barcelona don’t have a 6. They have 8’s and 10’s, but they do not have an anchoring player who can help the rest of the midfielders roam free to better support the attack.
Even if they sign Bernardo Silva as a forward to replace national teammate Joao Felix in a right wing or attacking midfield capacity, they won’t have the goal-scoring left winger they need to help supplement Robert Lewandowski (and Vitor Roque and Marc Guiu) at striker.
Silva is still a great player with 11 goal contributions in the current Premier League season and should age gracefully, but 60 million euros isn’t a bargain and could be utilized more appropriately on a defensive midfielder or scoring left winger.
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.