Manchester City Transfer News: It looks like Pep Guardiola will have to deal with a few more departures. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko have already left the club.
However, there is another player who has been linked with an exit. Bernardo Silva has been constantly linked with a departure. The Portuguese international joined the club in 2017 from AS Monaco. He was signed by the club for a fee of £43.5 million
The former Benfica midfielder was also a part of the famous Monaco team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. The 27 years old has been linked with a move to FC Barcelona.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have identified Lucas Paqueta as a potential replacement. Romano gave this information on his Here We Go Podcast.
Manchester City Transfer News: Bernardo Silva to FC Barcelona
This is not the first time, Barca is being linked to Silva. Even previously the Catalans have been linked with him. Xavi’s side has somehow managed to sign a lot of quality players in this transfer window.
This is despite the fact that they have been struggling financially. However, the singing of the Manchester City ace will come at a cost. They will have to first sell Frankie De Jong in order to sign him.
The Portuguese is being seen as a replacement for the Dutchman. The larger issue is also the player’s wish for the transfer to happen. The former AS Monaco midfielder himself wants to sign for the Catalans.
Although Pep Guardiola is keen for him to stay. Even last season he was close to leaving the Etihad. However, Guardiola intervened and convinced him to stay.
Paqueta to replace Silva
The Brazilian is likely to replace the midfielder at Eithad. He joined AC Milan from Flamengo in 2019. In his first season itself, he broke into the first team of the Rossoneri.
However, the move came too early for him. Just a season later he was sold to Lyon. Since then he has managed to build a good name for himself in the Ligue 1.
Although he might not be very much a like-to-like replacement for Silva. The former Benfica midfielder offers more versatility and his defensive work rate is still underrated.
While Paqueta offers more in the attacking department. He can very well add competition on the right wing for Riyad Mahrez. If Manchester City actually pursues him they will have to fork out around £55.4m.
