Manchester City's transfer stance on Bernardo Silva and left-back revealed by Jack Gaughan

Manchester City kicked off their 2022/23 Premier League campaign with a bang on Sunday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola's side dispatched of West Ham away from home by a 0-2 scoreline, with both goals coming from the Etihad club's newcomer Erling Haaland.

The Norway international's match-winning performance made it clear that Manchester City’s transfer business this summer has been, and will be, crucial to the outcome of the upcoming season. 

While the club have already made seismic changes to their squad - through the sales of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, or the signings of Kalvin Phillips, Julian Alvarez, and Erling Haaland - they might not be done quite yet. 

We're living a dream. 😍😂 pic.twitter.com/R95O821L8Y

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 9, 2022

The transfer saga regarding Bernardo Silva and a potential move to La Liga giants Barcelona continues to drag on.

The midfield star has reportedly been keen on a move away from the Etihad Stadium for some time now. 

However, a Covid-stricken market and the 28 year-old’s superb 2021/22 campaign has largely priced out any potential buyers. 

Recent reports from Spain have suggested that Camp Nou officials and Manchester City have agreed on a deal for Silva, and it could even be for far less than the €80 million price tag set by the Premier League club earlier in the summer. 

However, from a more credible source regarding City transfer news, The Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan, has revealed that the Premier League champions unsurprisingly do not want to sell Silva.

However, if a massive offer of £80 million or higher were to come in for the midfielder, then they could be forced to sell. 

According to Gaughan’s information, if Manchester City were to sell, they would need to ensure that they have a replacement lined up to fill Bernardo Silva’s spot in the squad.

Furthermore, City will continue the search for a left-back after Oleksandr Zinchenko completed his move to Premier League rivals Arsenal in July. 

News broke earlier this week that the Etihad club were closing in on the signing of RSC Anderlecht left-back Sergio Gomez.

But Jack Gaughan has indicated that City officials see Gomez as a ‘developmental signing’. 

City don’t want to sell Silva. If massive offer came in (major if and likely >£80m) hand forced more but would need a replacement. LBs: Gomez “development” signing, could stay but they’re hoping to sign senior option after ditching Cucurella deal. No definite No 1 target atm.

— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) August 9, 2022

As a result, the Premier League champions are ‘hoping’ to sign a first-team left-back, after Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella’s potential move to the Etihad broke down, and the player joined Chelsea. 

With just a few weeks left in the summer window, Manchester City will have to move fast.

Next up on the horizon for Pep Guardiola’s men is a visit from newly-promoted Bournemouth, who kicked off their league campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.