It has been said that Bernardo Silva of Manchester City is FC Barcelona’s obsession.

The 27-year-old has been a member of Man City’s roster since he transferred from AS Monaco in 2017.

Since then, Silva has been essential to Manchester City’s hegemony over the English game, particularly in 2018–19, when the Portuguese was probably at the peak of his powers as City amassed a century of Premier League points.

Even though Man City has remained the best team in England, Silva appeared to be considering leaving this past summer.

Silva, however, did not face an exit, and he continued to shine throughout the 2021/22 campaign.

Silva’s future, though, is once more in doubt now that the summer transfer window is open.

Journalist Helena Condis claims that despite having a well-stocked midfield, Barcelona is still fixated on getting Bernardo Siva from Manchester City.

The Portuguese midfielder has been one of Xavi’s top objectives this summer, but a transfer for the player is subject to Frenkie de Jong’s future. Condis continues, “On that front, the Blaugrana are sure that De Jong will ultimately accept his fate and leave Camp Nou.

The fact that Xavi continues to start the former Ajax star at center-back in preseason will likely hasten this process.

But even if De Jong ends up moving to Manchester United, it’s unlikely that his price will even come close to what City are asking for Silva.

De Jong has had offers of between €60 and €70 million, while Silva is thought to be seeking €100 million from Manchester City.

So how is this transaction possible for Barcelona? Well, as 101 reported on Friday, Barcelona has used their second economic lever to inject them with up to 300 million euros (£254 million) in cash.