Manchester City making transfer plans amid possibility of major double departure from midfield – 727 appearances between duo | OneFootball

Officials within the Etihad Stadium are reportedly making transfer plans in the event of a remarkable double departure from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City midfield.

Bernardo Silva is expected to target an exit from Manchester City in the coming months, in what would be the fourth successive summer transfer window that the Portuguese midfielder has eyed a move elsewhere.

With interest from Barcelona but an inability from the Catalan club to finance a deal at Manchester City’s valuation, the 29-year-old may settle for another season working under Pep Guardiola heading into his thirties.

Elsewhere and Kevin De Bruyne continues to be deemed an ambitious target by Saudi Arabian football bosses, who are aiming to undergo another remarkable summer transfer window to further strengthen the talents on offer in the Middle-Eastern division.

De Bruyne rejected approaches from Saudi Arabia during the previous summer transfer window, but with the Belgian entering the final year of his current Etihad Stadium contract, there remains a concern that he could entertain fresh approaches.

According to the information of The Athletic’s Sam Lee, Bernardo Silva or Kevin De Bruyne could leave Manchester City this summer, and possibly both, as Etihad Stadium officials make transfer plans with that in mind.

It is claimed that a move for West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta and even a second midfielder would be a possibility, with Manchester City planning to ‘reignite’ their interest in the Brazilian if no charges are brought against him.

Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is also understood to be a target for the Premier League champions, with interested parties having a one-month timeframe to activate his £100 million release clause during the early stages of this summer.

It remains unknown as to whether Manchester City would be interested in doing that, although they continue to monitor the performances of the Brazilian midfielder, and would likely not be opposed to the big-money signing of both Paqueta and Guimaraes.

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is also a player of interest, although Manchester City are believed to be less optimistic with regards to their chances of signing the German international, who will look to extend the former Chelsea man’s agreement this summer too.