Barcelona circle €38 million-rated Manchester City star as free transfer opportunity emerges – Report | OneFootball

Signing top-level superstars has long been part of the identity of FC Barcelona. As one of the world’s biggest clubs, there is always an expectation that La Blaugrana will attract the game’s best talent.

Yet, in recent years, financial constraints have forced the Catalan giants to take a more pragmatic approach, looking for smart market opportunities rather than blockbuster transfer fees.

One such opportunity could soon present itself. According to Fichajes, Barça sporting director Deco has set his sights on Bernardo Silva, the Manchester City midfielder whose contract expires in June.

At 31, the Portuguese international remains one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players, and the possibility of acquiring him on a free transfer has not gone unnoticed at Camp Nou.

A long-standing target for FC Barcelona

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Silva has been linked with Barcelona many times in the past, but the club’s limited financial muscle always stood in the way of a deal. This time, with no transfer fee involved, the situation appears more favorable.

Still, the €38 million-rated midfielder has openly spoken about his desire to one day return to his boyhood club SL Benfica, a factor that Barcelona will have to contend with.

Deco is reportedly planning talks with Silva to present Barça’s project under Hansi Flick and convince him that now is the right moment to make the move to the Catalan capital.

From a tactical perspective, the Portuguese fits the German coach’s vision perfectly: an intelligent attacking midfielder capable of combining in tight spaces, dictating play, and adding versatility by operating both centrally and out wide.

The financial challenge

While the transfer fee would not be an issue, Silva’s salary remains the biggest obstacle. The midfielder is currently on a very high wage at City, one that would be impossible for Barcelona to match under La Liga’s strict wage limits.

For the deal to happen, the player would need to agree to a significant pay cut, something that has scuppered Barça’s ambitions with other stars in the past.

Barcelona could face competition

With his Champions League pedigree, Premier League experience, and a few years of elite football still ahead of him, he represents both a sporting and symbolic signing.

However, competition is likely. Other European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain have tracked Silva before, and could yet return to the table.

Decision time ahead

In the coming months, Silva’s future should become clearer. For Barcelona, this could be a great opportunity: the chance to sign a world-class midfielder without spending on a transfer fee, at a time when every euro counts.

Ultimately, as per the report, the decision will hinge on Silva’s willingness to lower his demands and whether he sees Camp Nou, rather than Benfica or another European destination, as the stage for the next chapter of his career.