Portuguese veteran delays future plans to keep Barcelona door open – Romano | OneFootball

Barcelona’s pursuit of Bernardo Silva has received a potentially decisive boost after the Portuguese international opted to delay any final decision regarding his future until after the World Cup.

The development gives the Catalan giants additional time to put the final pieces of the operation in place, with the club increasingly confident that a deal can be completed ahead of the 2026/27 season.

According to reports relayed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Manchester City midfielder has chosen to wait until the conclusion of the World Cup before determining his next destination, a move that could ultimately work in Barcelona’s favour.

Barcelona handed valuable time

Bernardo Silva has been linked with Barcelona for several years, and the possibility of finally bringing him to Camp Nou appears to remain very much alive.

Barcelona have ample time to decide on Bernardo Silva. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Providing an update on the player’s situation, Romano cited comments from agent Jorge Mendes, who confirmed, “Bernardo will decide after the World Cup.”

That timeline is viewed positively within Barcelona because the club’s sporting department can work on squad adjustments and financial planning ahead of the new campaign.

The delay is also seen as a setback for Atletico Madrid, who had reportedly been attempting to revive discussions with the Portuguese midfielder after making progress in recent weeks.

The biggest problem

Within Barcelona, there are reports that Flick has approved the operation, as he admires the Portuguese for his versatility, technical quality and ability to operate across several positions in midfield and attack.

Bernardo Silva is ready to wait. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

However, before any agreement can be finalised, Barcelona must first complete a number of outgoing transfers.

While Bernardo’s willingness to wait is undoubtedly positive news, Barcelona’s midfield remains crowded, creating an obstacle that must be resolved before any official move can take place.

At present, Flick already has several senior midfielders competing for only three starting positions and adding another player without reducing the squad size would create an imbalance.

As a result, player departures have become a key part of the equation.