Bernardo Silva picks next club as European giants eye ex-Man City star on free transfer

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Bernardo Silva wants to join Barcelona this summer despite receiving offers from their La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid and Benfica, it has been claimed.

The midfielder is available on a Bosman transfer after opting to leave Manchester City this summer and has no shortage of admirers across Europe and further afield, including MLS clubs. But it appears the 31-year-old is currently leaning towards remaining in Europe, with big-spending Barcelona emerging as Bernardo's preferred destination.

Barca have already been aggressive in the transfer market since the end of the season, striking a £70million deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle . They are also said to be preparing a seismic £87m offer for Julian Alvarez in a bid to prise him away from Atletico.

The Times report that Silva is keen on joining the prospective influx of new arrivals at the Nou Camp, with Barca reciprocating that interest.

The former Manchester City captain, who has family in Barcelona, is still understood to be keen on the idea of ending his playing career at Benfica after previously graduating from the club's academy.

However, Silva feels as though he can continue playing at the very highest level for a couple more years and is enticed by the prospect of competing for the Champions League with Barcelona.

The report also notes that even a lower salary offer of around £80,000-a-week would not deter Silva from pursuing a move to the ambitious Spanish champions.

Silva's departure, alongside that of John Stones and Pep Guardiola , marks the end of an era at Manchester City. The playmaker won 16 major trophies at the club after joining from Monaco back in 2017, including the treble in the 2022-23 campaign.

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He made an emotional address to fans after playing his final game in a Manchester City shirt last weekend, saying: "It's really tough to put into words my feeling towards Manchester City, towards you guys, because I don't think I will ever feel the same about another team in my life.

"The love I got from this club, from you guys, I doubt I will get it again. So thank you so much.

"All the memories we have together, with my brothers, with you, the staff, this is a family. It will forever be my family and I am really grateful."

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