Pep Guardiola’s ‘promise’ to Bernardo Silva gives Barcelona major boost in transfer pursuit

With the possible departure of Frenkie de Jong looming large, Xavi Hernandez is scouring the market for an ideal replacement.

Xavi rates de Jong very highly, and should the Dutchman leave the club this summer, he is expected to demand the signing of a midfielder, who can offer similar or better individual quality.

To that end, the Barcelona manager has firmly set his sights on Bernardo Silva. Xavi rates the Manchester City starlet highly due to his ability to operate as an interior midfielder and offer creativity in the final third.

Xavi believes Silva has what it takes to become an ideal midfield partner for Pedri. The two can develop an excellent combination in the middle of the park, with Sergio Busquets operating as the number six.

However, the operation to sign Bernardo Silva is going to be difficult, with manager Pep Guardiola already issuing a warning to Barcelona earlier this week.

But in a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, it has been revealed that Bernardo Silva has a “pact” with Guardiola, where the Man City manager will facilitate his exit if the club receives a reasonable offer for the midfielder.

It serves as a massive boost for Barcelona in their pursuit of Bernardo Silva, though complexities surrounding the deal remains unresolved.

Given the club’s financial crisis, it will be next to impossible for Barcelona to meet Man City’s demands for their revered playmaker.

The two clubs have made initial contact, but the Catalans have yet to make an official offer for the midfielder. Man City’s exact demands for the player remain undisclosed, but the €55 million sale of Ferran Torres in January could be used as a reference.

With two months still remaining before the new season begins, Barcelona do have ample time to fund the move by offloading their fringe players in the summer. But whether or not they will succeed in this pursuit remains to be seen.