Bernardo Silva ‘set for shock £70m Barcelona transfer after agreeing personal terms’… but Spaniards must sell De Jong
BARCELONA have reportedly agreed personal terms with Bernardo Silva but will only be able to complete his signing if Frenkie de Jong leaves.
Man City star Silva has been a long-term target for the Spanish giants, and could be set to finally move to Catalonia this summer.
But Barcelona's financial limitations mean they won't be able to complete a deal for the Portuguese playmaker unless they sell Manchester United target De Jong.
United are understood to have agreed a fee for the transfer of the Dutchman.
However, the midfielder is reluctant to move to the Red Devils amid a row with Barca over the payment of deferred wages.
Barcelona are pushing for him to either leave the club or take a substantial pay cut in an ultimatum offered earlier this week.
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Journalist Man City want a fee of around £70million plus add-ons to sell Silva, who manager Pep Guardiola remains a big fan of.
Barcelona's agreement with United would see De Jong sold for around £72m, which would cover the cost for their acquisition of Silva.
Indeed, it has even been reported United could now take on the cost for De Jong's £17m deferred wages at Barca and also offer him an eye-watering £450,000 per week in wages.
However, United could face late pressure from Chelsea to complete De Jong's move, with the pull of Champions League football making them a far more appealing option.
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Club president Joan Laporta told reporters at CBS Sports Golazo about the "friends" he has at Man City, namely Guardiola and members of City's hierarchy.
On Silva's potential transfer, : "Bernardo, very good player. I've to respect that he belongs to Manchester City.
"We have some friends there, like Pep Guardiola, Txiki Begiristain and Al Mubarak. There are a lot of people I know."