While the focus on the pitch was firmly placed on a dramatic charity friendly at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, there was plenty ongoing away from the field.
Bernardo Silva's summer-long transfer saga - largely involving Barcelona - has shown no signs of slowing, despite multiple rejections on certain claims from Manchester City.
The Portugal international has been keen on a move away from England for over 12 months now, after becoming unhappy with his personal life during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Advert
However, with financial constraints hampering Camp Nou officials, the La Liga giants have been unable to come anywhere near Manchester City's valuation of the player.
That valuations is widely understood to be in the region of €100 million.
The struggles to negotiate between the Catalan club and City have seemingly welcomed other interested parties, and that is the claim from France this week.
According to the information of L'Equipe, as translated and relayed by Get French Football News, Paris Saint-Germain have now submitted an offer worth €70 million for Bernardo Silva, in a proposal which has not convinced Manchester City.
It is further highlighted within the report that the Ligue 1 club's sporting adviser Luís Campos is especially keen on bringing in the midfielder - a player who he first brought to France during his time at AS Monaco.
Advert
Unfortunately for PSG - and for any other potential suitor however - Bernardo Silva has never made an official transfer request and will not push for a move away from Manchester City, such is his respect for the club and what they have provided in the five years he has been at the Etihad Stadium so far.
As touched upon by L'Equipe, Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto reported that Manchester City will reject the French club's proposal, and will instead seek a fee in the region of €90 million.
Unsurprisingly, it is stressed that Bernardo Silva is a 'fundamental' player for manager Pep Guardiola - who wants to keep the player at the club.
The initial reports from L'Equipe came shortly before the conclusion of Barcelona's 3-3 draw with Manchester City in a charity friendly at Camp Nou on Wednesday night, and as such, journalists were on hand to grab the thoughts of club officials - most notably, Ferran Soriano.
Advert
The City chief executive totally rejected the suggestion that there are contacts or negotiations ongoing for the player, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.
"There are no discussions or talks for Bernardo Silva," Soriano said.
"There’s no Bernardo case. Manchester City's market can be considered closed, it’s over."
Nevertheless, Catalan media were offered hope in their relentless pursuit of driving a pro-Barcelona narrative on the situation.
Advert
Speaking during a post-match press conference, Pep Guardiola appeared to reveal that Bernardo Silva himself is keen on the move.
Guardiola told reporters, "He is our player. We want him to be with us because he is very important.
"Having said that, I don't want anyone to be unhappy. But I don't want him to leave because he is a superlative player."
Advert
The Manchester City manager continued, "As a player and as a person, he is one of the best I have ever had. In any competition he is the best player.
"If an offer arrives there are seven days left and if Bernardo leaves we would have to go to the market and not it's easy.
"Having said that, Bernardo likes Barcelona a lot."
Topics: Bernardo Silva, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga, Transfers, Football, Fabrizio Romano, Pep Guardiola
Freddie Pye