Two ways Barcelona can fund Bernardo Silva’s transfer – report | OneFootball

Local publication Catalunya Radio has offered an update on Barcelona’s pursuit of Bernardo Silva.

The Manchester City star remains Xavi’s top target as he looks to find an ideal partner for Pedri in the interior midfield position.

The Barcelona coach wants to recreate the midfield trifecta of the past that involved himself and Andres Iniesta operating as the advanced midfielders, with Sergio Busquets operating as number six.

Barcelona already have a quality number eight in Pedri, but Xavi prefers Silva to operate alongside him this season. As such, he has urged the club to sign the Manchester City superstar during the remainder of the transfer window.

However, the Catalunya Radio report suggests that Barcelona have not reached any agreement with Man City over Silva.

The Catalans could have a tough time affording the Portuguese international, who is valued at around €100 million. It could make the operation extremely tricky for a club that even struggled to register their new signings ahead of the season opener against Rayo Vallecano.

Nevertheless, Barça have a few options they can employ in order to fund a move for Silva this summer.

One avenue is the sale of Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman is rated highly by other clubs and due to his potential, he should fetch more than €70 million. Chelsea, for one, are already prepared to snap up the midfielder by the end of the month.

Alternatively, Barça can sanction the sale of three players in the form of Sergino Dest, Memphis Depay and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

However, that scenario is unlikely as Dest’s departure could force the club to go after a new right-back. Aubameyang, too, has reportedly pledged his career at Camp Nou despite interest from Chelsea, so all the eyes will be on the future of de Jong, as we head towards the final few weeks of the transfer window.