Barcelona identify Manchester City midfielder as ‘number one goal’ for 2024 transfer | OneFootball

Manchester City transfer rumours never come to an end, even outside of the official transfer window periods, as another link emerges involving a first-team star.

City completed their most recent summer transfer window with a number of confirmed arrivals and departures, with the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez bringing an end to illustrious Etihad Stadium careers.

High-profile departures were replaced by top-level replacements however, as Manchester City secured the services of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennes, and Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, there were a number of first-team names that came very close to exits this summer too, but ultimately opted to stay. Bernardo Silva was among those names, and the latest information is that despite his contract renewal, an exit is likely to be sought out by suitors across the European game next summer.

According to the information of journalist Jose Alvarez, reporting to El Chiringuito in Spain, Barcelona’s ‘number one goal’ for 2024 is that of Manchester City and Portugal international midfielder Bernardo Silva.

It is further highlighted, following previous confirmation from Fabrizio Romano, that the City playmaker – who recently signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium – has a release clause in his new deal worth £50 million.

Barcelona have been the most likely option for Bernardo Silva for a number of seasons now, however it has been financial issues surrounding the reigning La Liga champions that have hampered their attempts at securing the Portuguese star.

During the most recent transfer window, the Camp Nou club’s approach for Bernardo was less serious, as they instead secured the signatures of Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo from Manchester City, with the latter joining on a season-long loan agreement.

Bernardo Silva received a proposal from Saudi Arabia, which was rejected after some consideration, while Paris Saint-Germain monitored his situation with interest, but ultimately opted against a intensified approach for the player after seeing an opening bid rejected.