Bernardo Silva willing to take major pay cut for Barcelona move, not Benfica | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva is edging towards Barcelona after turning down a return to Benfica. According to Glorioso 1904, the Portugal midfielder is increasingly close to becoming a Barcelona player.

Barcelona have coveted him for years, but previous moves were blocked by Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s reliance on the former Benfica man. With the player now free to decide his next step, the picture has shifted.

To push through the switch, Silva has agreed to relinquish a significant portion of his City wage. He earned about 16 million euros per season in Manchester, and has accepted a reduction to almost half to fit Barcelona’s finances.

Family and geography have also influenced his thinking, with proximity to Portugal and stability weighing heavily. He recently revealed that his wife, Inês, is pregnant with their second child, a factor that has strengthened the appeal of continuing his career in Spain.

Barcelona are preparing an ambitious window and view Silva as a premium addition without a transfer fee. The hierarchy believe his experience and quality could be pivotal as they chase the Champions League, a trophy that has eluded them since 2015.

Benfica sounded him out in recent months, but the idea never truly took hold. Silva remains attached to the club and does not rule out going back one day, yet considers now not the right moment to return to Portuguese football.

Source: Glorioso 1904