Manchester City are making preparations for potentially replacing Bernardo Silva in the next summer transfer window, according to various reports.
The future of the Portugal international remains uncertain, despite remaining at the club after a second consecutive summer of seeking an exit.
The most recent summer transfer window featured intense reported interest from FC Barcelona, however the La Liga giants were unable to finance a move at the heights demanded by Manchester City.
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It has now been reported that City officials are looking to sit down with Bernardo Silva, in an attempt to both iron out their own plans for next summer, as well as gauge an understanding as to whether the 28 year-old will look to move out of the Etihad Stadium in the coming summer transfer window.
While there remains a possibility that Bernardo Silva could reveal a desire to commit his long-term future to the club, relevant officials are preparing for the worst.
That is according to various reports this week, stating that replacements are now being targeted by the key decision makers at Manchester City.
According to the information of Chris Bailey of The National, Manchester City's Director of Football Txiki Begiristain has 'two or three names on his radar', should the club part company with Bernardo Silva next summer.
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The expectation is that the Premier League champions will make a 'significant' investment into the midfield area, as per to Jack Gaughan of the Mail.
On the subject of specific targets, the same report from the Mail states that Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham has 'admirers' at Manchester City.
Although, and perhaps unsurprisingly given the talent of the teenager, a host of elite clubs including Liverpool and Real Madrid are vying for his signature, according to the report.
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Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News provides the specifics of Manchester City's admiration of Jude Bellingham in a similar report outlining the situation concerning Bernardo Silva.
According to the MEN, Manchester City have the money for such a purchase, and they are also not short on players to 'help the deal along'.
Readers are reminded that there are five City players in the England national squad with Jude Bellingham, while the former Birmingham City midfielder also still speaks to Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji - both of whom made the switch from Dortmund to Manchester in the summer.
However, Simon Bajkowski reports that while the 19-year-old midfielder ticks every box of the player profile Manchester City look for, there is no indication yet that they are ready to commit to joining the race.
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Elsewhere, Manchester City will return to Premier League action this weekend, following the final international break before the 2022 World Cup.
Manchester United are the visitors to the Etihad Stadium, in the much-anticipated 188th Manchester derby on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola has a number of fitness concerns, mostly regarding John Stones - who was withdrawn from England action on Monday night with a hamstring problem sustained against Germany.
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / AlamyTopics: Bernardo Silva, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Football, Transfers, Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga