Barcelona working directly with agent to sign €65m star

Barcelona continue to work on strengthening their squad despite Javier Tebas’ comments painting a very bleak picture of the club’s finances.

On Thursday, the La Liga chief suggested that Barcelona are unlikely to be allowed to add more players to their squad because they don’t have any room in their budget, as things stand. It is understood that the league leaders have to raise £178m from selling players to have any chance of rejuvenating Xavi’s squad.

However, Tebas’ comments at the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit haven’t impacted Barcelona’s plans, with the board understood to be doing its ‘homework’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

Bernardo Silva has been earmarked as Barcelona’s main transfer target. And as per SPORT, Joan Laporta, the club’s president, is working with the midfielder’s agent, Jorge Mendes, to facilitate his transfer to Camp Nou.

Barcelona are working directly with Mendes to sign €65m star

The Portugal international has long been on Barca’s radar. An attempt to sign him ahead of the current season failed because Frenkie de Jong’s transfer to Manchester United didn’t materialize.

Then in the winter window, Manchester City rejected a loan proposal with an option to buy from Barcelona. Pep Guardiola’s side were reluctant to sanction the exit of a key player mid-season. Silva got on the scoresheet in the Sky Blues’ 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Fortunately for the Blaugrana, Silva remains open for a new adventure.

City will entertain a bid in the region of €65m for the 28-year-old, whose contract in Manchester only has two years left to run. Although their asking price isn’t seen as a problem by Barcelona, Silva’s salary could complicate the move as the topic of financial fair play is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Considering Silva’s quality and versatility, rest assured Barcelona will do everything in its power to push the deal across the line in the third attempt.