It seems unlikely that Manchester City will let Bernardo Silva go for significantly less than £80million and equally unlikely Barcelona could come up with those funds.
But that has not stopped fevered speculation that the Portugal international might be on his way to Catalonia. Former City ace Sergio Aguero has weighed in with his views, which involved pretty much sitting squarely on the fence, suggesting he doubts it but never say never.
Other outlets are saying there is no way City would let yet another of their title-winning side depart given their desire for consistency. Elsewhere, there are a couple of names in the frame for the left-back position likely to be left vacant if Joao Cancelo moves over to his favoured right slot.
Mirror Sport brings you the latest City transfer gossip here...
Sergio sits on the fence
Aguero has waded into the discussion about whether Bernardo could be on his way to the Nou Camp, insisting he doubts there will be a deal
Reports that the two clubs had agreed a £46million fee for the midfielder look well wide of the mark, with City believing he is worth £80m. And with Barcelona struggling to register players they have already bought owing to La Liga Financial Fair Play restrictions, Aguero could be on the money.
“Bernardo is a great player. He carries the ball, he sacrifices, has quality to assist and score goals and he can play in different positions,” Aguero told Stake, as reported by GOAL. “It would surprise me if City let him go. He is a player who contributes a lot every season, but everything is possible.”
Warning over Silva
Talksport’s Jason Cundy has warned City that handing over Bernardo to Barca risks handing a sizeable advantage to Liverpool in the title race. Former Chelsea and Spurs striker Cundy believes doubts about Jack Grealish mean the Portugal midfielder must not be allowed to leave.
He said: “They invested £100m in Jack, we know how brilliant he can be [but] life can be tough at City. It’s a tough place to go with the expectation levels. He’s had to learn a different way under Pep. I don’t doubt he will be a success. But parts of last season Bernardo Silva was unplayable.”
Cundy added: “If you are Liverpool watching this [the Bernardo saga], it just weakens their [City’s] squad.”
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Gomez signs four-year deal
City have reached agreement with Anderlecht over left-back Sergio Gomez, according to Het Laatste Nieuws. The Premier League champions have had to put together a package of £12.6 – £11m plus £1.6m in add ons – to secure the Spain U21 international.
He is undergoing his medical in Barcelona ahead of arriving in Manchester to start a four-year deal. City view Gomez as a 'development player' but will take a look at him before deciding on his future. It remains an option that he could go straight out on loan to City Group satellite club Girona in Spain.
Another left-back on radar
Raphael Guerreiro is the latest name linked with City’s vacant left-back position. Sky Sports have reported the Borussia Dortmund defender is one of several potential options the English champions are looking at.
Guerreiro has made 189 appearances for Dortmund, scoring 34 goals and assisting 37, since joining in 2016. The defender has just one year left on his contract with the German giants.
