Man City player Bernardo Silva told major stumbling block will stop Barcelona transfer

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva would undoubtedly enhance Barcelona’s assets, but a move is unlikely to materialise, according to a former Blues player.

Silva has been linked with a switch to the Nou Camp for a number of months, despite the Spanish side’s financial problems. Their cash woes have not stopped them from acquiring new signings this summer.

Onlookers have been left baffled at how a club supposedly in £1bn’s worth of debt have still been able to sustain the transfers of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen.

READ MORE: Man City close to missing out on possible Bernardo replacement

They have nevertheless still faced a battle in registering their new arrivals in time for the new season though, and Steve McManaman pointed to this as a reason why a transfer for Silva may not go through this window.

He outlined how the playmaker would almost certainly be a hit at Barcelona but the club’s cash problems provide a major hurdle. McManaman told Horseracing.net: “If Bernardo Silva was to leave it would definitely weaken their [City's] squad.

“He’s one of their better players. City’s squad is excellent but Bernardo Silva has been a mainstay over the past few years.

“His form last year was excellent and he’s started this season really well. He would definitely improve Barcelona’s starting XI.”

However, he added: “But I just don’t think it will happen. I don’t know what Barcelona are doing with their finances- they couldn’t register Jules Koundé the other day - and they can’t get rid of any players that they want to get rid of.

“So to bring in Bernardo Silva for €50million and try and register him, is just madness. It’s surreal at the moment.”

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