Barcelona 'remain determined to sign Bernardo Silva next summer'

Barcelona are reportedly still determined to bring Manchester City attacker Bernardo Silva to Camp Nou.

The Portugal international was strongly linked with a move to the Catalan outfit over the summer, but the transfer window closed with the playmaker still at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo has again been a vital player for Pep Guardiola's side this season, making 22 appearances in all competitions, contributing two goals and five assists in the process.

The attacker has provided two goals and five assists in 14 Premier League outings, while he featured in all six of their matches in the group stage of the Champions League.

Bernardo told Man City in the summer of 2021 that he was looking to leave the club for personal reasons, as he wanted to be closer to his family in Portugal, which remains the case.

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A recent report claimed that Barcelona had given up hope of signing the attacker in January, with Man City not prepared to enter into any negotiations at the start of 2023.

However, according to Sport, the Portuguese remains a priority target for the Catalan outfit, who are determined to secure his signature during next summer's transfer window.

The report claims that Man City had been willing to let him leave over the summer, but Barcelona could not come up with the money required due to their financial problems.

Bernardo, who has a contract with Guardiola's side until June 2025, is said to be willing to push for a move to Xavi's side at the end of the campaign.

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The former Monaco playmaker has scored 50 goals and registered 56 assists in 273 appearances for Man City, winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four EFL Cup trophies in the process.

Over the summer, Citizens boss Guardiola admitted that Bernardo "likes Barcelona a lot" during a period of intense speculation surrounding the attacker's future.

"I'm no one to tell Barca to forget about (signing) Bernardo. We want him to stay with us, but I don't want anyone who's not happy. The first thing would be for the clubs to come to an agreement, but there has been no offer for him in these last two years," Guardiola told reporters at the time.

"I don't want him to go, he's a superlative player and a great person... and there are only seven or eight days left (in the window) and we would have to turn to the transfer market. I want him to stay. That said, it is true Bernardo likes Barcelona a lot."

Bernardo is currently with the Portugal squad at the 2022 World Cup, and he is widely expected to be in the starting XI for their tournament opener with Ghana on November 24.