Premier League veteran opens door for Barcelona move: ‘I often thought about leaving’ | OneFootball

Barcelona have received a significant boost in the transfer market, with Bernardo Silva openly admitting that he is considering a change ahead of the summer.

The Manchester City captain, whose contract is approaching its final phase, recently spoke about his situation and hinted that life in England may not be ideal for him in the long run.

While reflecting on his time in Manchester, Silva explained that his feelings, stating,

“I’m not saying I don’t like being here, but culturally, Manchester doesn’t match the ideal I have for my life. And sometimes I don’t feel happy.

“Before I met my wife, I was always on my own, I wasn’t feeling well and I often thought about leaving. Of course, it wasn’t because I didn’t like the team.

“But I never left, and I’m happy. I always joke that if City were based further south in Europe, I’d stay there forever,” he said, according to AS.

Linked to Barcelona

These comments have naturally caught the attention of Barcelona, who have tracked Silva for several years. 

However, the situation at the Blaugrana has changed significantly. 

Bernardo Silva is ready to leave Man City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Despite recognising Silva’s quality, the club is already well covered in his preferred roles, particularly in attacking midfield and wide areas. 

This creates a debate over whether pursuing him should be a priority.

Sporting director Deco is currently evaluating the squad structure and is expected to take more time before making any final decisions regarding attacking reinforcements for the 2026/27 season.

Meanwhile, Silva is not short of options. Clubs from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Galatasaray have already presented strong offers. 

Despite that, the player and his agent, Jorge Mendes, have reportedly informed Barcelona that they are willing to wait.

For now, the ball is in Barcelona’s court. 

Silva is open to leaving, but whether the club decide to act on this opportunity remains to be seen.