Date: 11th September 2022 at 5:45pm
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Manchester City navigated their way through the summer transfer window and, judging by their start to the new season, seem to have emerged an even stronger outfit. 

Pep Guardiola allowed Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling all to leave the club, and added Erling Haaland, Sergio Gomez and Kalvin Phillips to his squad.

The Norwegian striker has started the new campaign in sensational form, scoring 12 goals in his last seven matches, and City sit second in the table with just a point separating them from leaders Arsenal.

One player that City were threatened with losing over the summer was Bernardo Silva, who was reportedly a target for Spanish side Barcelona.

The Portuguese remained at The Etihad, but it now appears that City may once again face a battle to keep hold of the midfielder in the near future.

According to Sport, Barcelona will make another move to sign the Portugal international ‘as soon as they have the chance’, which could either be in January or next summer.

Guardiola admitted that, while he didn’t want to lose Silva, he would not stand in his way if he wished to depart

The report states that La Liga have increased the club’s salary cap by a staggering £490 million, which would allow Barcelona to make Silva a more lucrative offer.

The Spanish side were linked with Silva last summer but couldn’t find the funds to secure a deal, and there were issues once again this summer as the two clubs failed to reach an agreement.

Despite Silva’s importance to the Citizens, the Spanish outlet suggests that City and Guardiola were open to letting the player leave for the right price.

Barcelona initially fell into financial trouble in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but still managed to sign Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie, Raphinha and Andreas Christensen this summer, although a move for Silva wasn’t possible.

Silva, 28, has three years remaining on his current deal at The Etihad, and has previously been quoted as saying that he is happy at his current club.

The midfielder joined City from French side Monaco in 2017 and has since made more than 250 appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals and winning four Premier League titles along the way.

 
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