Manchester City

Manchester City

Premier League • England

Sources: Exit request rocks Man City, as imminent sale sees Bernardo Silva to Barcelona take shape

Man City star Bernardo Silva and Barcelona badge

Barcelona are hopeful of signing Bernardo Silva and an imminent exit will aid their pursuit

Barcelona have still not given up on landing Man City star Bernardo Silva this summer, TEAMtalk understands.

Sllva has been wanting to leave City for over 12 months and has again made his feelings known to the club and that is to let him move on.

City are reluctant to let the Portuguese leave given they have already seen Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez depart. As such, we understand Pep Guardiola’s side have offered the 28-year-old a bumper new pay rise.

Barcelona want Silva, but have been unable to put together a package that would come close to City’s valuation of between £75m-£80m.

However, the potential sale of Ousmane Dembele means Barcelona could yet raise the funds to satisfy the Spanish footballing authorities should they press ahead with a move.

The 26-year-old France international is expected to complete a €50m transfer to PSG in the coming days.

Barca boss Xavi has since confirmed the move will happen, stating: “[Dembele] says that he has this proposal and that he has decided to leave. It is his personal decision.”

Once Dembele’s sale goes through, Barcelona will be better placed to test Man City’s resolve for Silva.

Losing the Portuguese would be a bitter pill to swallow for Guardiola, especially having already sold Mahrez to Al Ahli for £30m.

Mahrez was Guardiola’s preferred option on the right wing last season, thought it was Silva who often got the nod against the toughest opponents.

City are already seeking a replacement for Mahrez and are circling over Michael Olise of Crystal Palace and Rennes winger Jeremy Doku.

If Silva were to depart too, a second addition might be required.

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