Barcelona to launch ‘final offensive’ for Bernardo Silva and plot transfer for Man City star after slashing wage bill
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BARCELONA are set to launch a move for Bernardo Silva after slashing their wage bill, according to reports.
The poverty-pleading Catalan side have already splashed out £137million on transfers during an extraordinary window - despite not fully paying their own players.
And they want Manchester City star Silva to be the icing on their bizarre cake in the coming weeks.
After raising further funds by selling more of their TV rights, Barca were able to register new signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie for their LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano - although Jules Kounde remained ineligible.
Club president Joan Laporta is hoping to raise more funds by slashing his wage bill before completing his squad with Silva.
According to Catalan paper , Barca have agreed upon terms with Silva's agent Jorge Mendes.
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They add that the LaLiga side hope to pay around £51million for the Portuguese star.
City, however, could scupper their plans by demanding a lot more.
claim that City won't budge from their £84m valuation of their attacking midfielder.
Silva has three years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, and has featured in their opening two league matches this term.
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The 28-year-old looked to be saying goodbye to City fans after Saturday's 4-0 win over Bournemouth, walking a lap of the Etihad while clapping fans.
He then took to social media, writing in the past tense: "A great performance from the team and a fantastic atmosphere!
"I would also like to thank everyone at the stadium for those beautiful moments of love and support you guys showed me."
Despite Silva's actions, team-mate Kevin De Bruyne reckons he's going nowhere.
The Belgian said: "The way that I see it, I think that he will be here, so there’s nothing that I’m worried about."