Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is pushing for a move to FC Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid despite remaining the Catalans’ main transfer target this summer, according to a report.

Though Barca reportedly accepted an €80mn ($84.8mn) offer for the Dutchman in mid-July, De Jong refused to move citing United’s lack of Champions League football and a desire to succeed under head coach Xavi as his main motives for staying put.

The Blaugrana splashed out €158mn ($167mn) on new signings ahead of this season but fell short of landing Silva.

Whether they could come in for the Portuguese international or not was said to depend on Frenkie de Jong leaving for City’s crosstown rivals Manchester United.

Barca therefore failed to raise the €80-100mn ($84.8-106mn) it was believed City required to let go one of their star players, who has continued at the Etihad on a mission to win his fifth PremierPINC League title since joining from Monaco in 2017.

‘Sport’ have claimed that Bernardo Silva will be one of Barcelona’s priorities for this summer transfer window. What’s more, Thomas Meunier is still on the Catalan side’s wishlist for the full-back . For financial reasons, getting the Manchester City star on board is almost impossible; whereas the Borussia Dortmund man isn’t: his contract is up in 2024.

March is about to start and that means we’re getting closer and closer to the summer transfer window. With just three months ahead to plan for next season’s squad, ‘Sport’ have reported that Bernardo Silva is one of Barcelona’s priority. The Manchester City star would be up for swapping the Etihad Stadium for the Camp Nou.

The problem is that he’s under contract until 2025, so Barca would have to pay an agreement with the Sky Blues to sign him. The release clause is set at around €89.5 million, which is too high for Joan Laporta’s bank balance unless they carry out more financial manoeuvers to get round the ‘Financial Fair Play’, even though this would be the riskiest option.

Even though the relationship between the Spanish and English side are good because of Pep Guardiola’s history at both, it’s not possible for Barca to get a discount. The reason being the ex-Monaco has become one of the best in the world in his position and his owners won’t let him go easily.

Meanwhile at El Nacional, however, it said that Silva is now gearing towards a move to Real Madrid and has asked his agent Jorge Mendes to start negotiating with their president Florentino Perez and arrange a potential switch.

While it is still unknown whether Madrid are interested in Silva, they are in need of another winger and more experience in midfield where the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric could soon be stepping down.

Recent injuries and suspensions suffered by Pedri and Gavi respectively have shown how Barca can be found wanting in the center of the park, and how they could have done with Silva in their recent exit to Manchester United in the Europa League