The player that may reject FC Barcelona soon is Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, as the Saudi Pro League is showing interest in him. Cristiano Ronaldo is the star of the league with Al Nassr, but their rivals Al Hilal may attempt to sign Bernardo Silva this summer, who has a release clause worth more than $60 million. Silva may choose Al Hilal since FC Barcelona cannot afford the release clause he has at Manchester City. The Portuguese winger reportedly wants to leave Man City to join Barcelona, but if the Catalan club doesn't see Silva as a priority, he may go to Saudi Arabia to face off against Ronaldo.
☎️ La opción favorita de Bernardo Silva es el Barça pero el club no puede ficharlo sin antes vender.
— Aaron Domínguez (@Aaronvalden77) April 19, 2024
El Benfica, PSG y Al Hilal también están interesados en el portugués. #Transfers #Mercato https://t.co/oYF7yk0kgg pic.twitter.com/jL0g9ZXZ1H
Silva's contract with Manchester City expires in 2026, and he earns a yearly salary of $19.3 million. Silva was reportedly offered a luxurious deal in the past by Al Hilal, but Man City offered him the contract to push those bids away. Al Hilal is willing to offer Silva more than $100 million a year. Bernardo Silva rejected a salary worth $94.7 million a year last summer, according to the Athletic.
🚨 Bernardo Silva REJECTED a salary of £75m/year from Al-Hilal this summer. 🇵🇹
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 24, 2023
(Source: @TheAthleticFC) pic.twitter.com/T2f3U8i8cT
In FC Barcelona's case, the Catalan club would need to sell a crucial player this summer to make the signing of Silva possible. MARCA reports that the club's priority is to sign a player who can play as a pivot or as a defensive midfielder. The Spanish outlet suggests that Frenkie De Jong's sale would be the only way for Bernardo Silva to join FC Barcelona this summer, as the sale of Raphinha or Ronald Araujo may not be enough for the Catalan club.
🚨 To sign Bernardo Silva, Barça must sell either one of these players: De Jong, Araujo, or Raphinha. However, at the moment, the club's priority is to sign a pivot. @Luis_F_Rojo 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/cmt9LUwDVh
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 27, 2024
Bernardo Silva's stats with Manchester City this season
In 43 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions this season, Silva has scored 11 goals and made six assists. Silva has six goals and five assists in the Premier League in 28 matches. In Manchester City's 4-0 win against Brighton this week, Silva provided an assist as the team looks to win the Premier League again. It would be the 4th straight Premier League title if they win it this season.