Man City Star To Join Barca In Huge Swap Deal?
18 July, 2023
Barcelona are reportedly set to offer one of their highest-paid players to Manchester City in a bid to sign one of the treble winners' most high-profile stars in a swap deal.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Spanish champions are hoping to secure Bernardo Silva's signature in this transfer window and are willing to part ways with Frenkie de Jong to make it happen.
The Dutch midfielder has been a long-term target for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, but has always insisted on remaining at the Blaugrana.
Silva, meanwhile, has been strongly linked with the Catalan giants in recent months, with Pep Guardiola having previously admitted that the Portugal international's future in England is uncertain. The 28-year-old played a crucial role in helping inspire the Citizens to an incredible treble-winning 2022/23 campaign, during which he contributed to 15 goals in 55 matches across all competitions.
The former Monaco midfielder's contract in the Premier League expires in 2025, while De Jong has a deal in Spain that runs until 2026.
It is believed the LALIGA champions need to sell players in order to register new arrivals ahead of next season, with the club having already signed Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez as free agents.
Plenty of work would need to be done before an agreement is to materialise over a potential swap deal including De Jong and Silva, such as successfully persuading the former that his future lies elsewhere.
Source: www.snl24.com