Barcelona ‘inform Bernardo Silva’ they won’t be signing him

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Barcelona have reportedly told Bernardo Silva that they will no longer be pursuing his signature after deciding to focus their efforts on Manchester City team-mate Ilkay Gundogan instead. The Portugal international has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp in the past but it appears there is no chance of it happening in the near future.

Barcelona have been credited with an interest in Silva during the past two summer transfer windows with the La Liga giants keen to add to their attacking options. Yet no move has ever been forthcoming as the 28-year-old remains a valued member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

There had been some suggestions that the Catalonians would look to revive their interest in Silva again this summer however the Daily Star reports that this will not be the case. Barcelona are set to make City captain Gundogan their top target this summer with the German available for nothing on the expiry of his contract with his representatives already holding preliminary discussions in Spain.

Barcelona are in the midst of financial fair play difficulties and Silva’s price tag would make him cost prohibitive. The playmaker’s agent has been informed that they will not be pursuing the opportunity to bring him in.

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Both Silva and Gundogan have been key players for the Sky Blues this season regularly featuring in Guardiola’s midfield. The Spaniard would be reluctant to lose either player but may have no choice when it comes to his club captain given his contract situation.

Guardiola has previously spoken on the German’s contract status suggesting he has earned the right to do what he feels is right without pressure from above.

“I think I know my opinion about Ilkay. What Ilkay has done against Aston Villa last season he can do whatever he wants,” Guardiola said. “He has the paradise already. So he knows exactly my opinion about him.

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“The club knows it and it is a question for him and his agent. What is going to happen I’m pretty sure is going to be good for him.

“Really we want how he is behaving, how he has behaved all his life in Manchester but what is going to happen? This kind of things belongs to the club and the player.”

It remains to be seen what transfer movements there are over the summer transfer window but it looks increasingly likely that Silva will not be among them.

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