Manchester City agree transfer fee with Barcelona for Bernardo Silva

Manchester City and Barcelona have now agreed on a transfer fee for Bernardo Silva, according to information from Spain.

The Portugal international has been eyeing a move away from the Etihad Stadium for the past couple of seasons, largely due to personal problems.

The 27 year-old, who arrived in the summer of 2017 from AS Monaco, is understood to have become unhappy with his lifestyle in the North-West of England.

As such, Bernardo Silva has been keen on a move closer to home, and the idea of a move to La Liga has been one that is welcomed by the player.

However, financial issues with the two clubs most likely to sign the Manchester City midfielder have put any such move on hold.

Barcelona have always seemed the most likely destination for Silva, who has played an integral role in Pep Guardiola's success at the Etihad Stadium.

But with financial constraints hampering the Camp Nou club, any progression in negotiations and a transfer have stalled substantially until this summer, where Barcelona have activated economic levers to secure the signings of marquee players such as Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich, and Raphinha from Leeds United.

Now, according to the information of journalist Gerard Romero, Barcelona and Manchester City have finally agreed on a transfer fee for Bernardo Silva.

While some outlets had claimed the Premier League champions had taken a hardline stance on a €100 million valuation of the Portuguese star, Romero's claim goes against such a figure.

It is reported now that the two clubs - who have close ties in hierarchical positions - have agreed on a fee below €80 million.

It is further expanded by the journalist that the figures mentioned for Bernardo Silva are between €50 million and €55 million.

Manchester City are still expected to be active during the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

Following the failure to sign Brighton's Marc Cucurella, a senior first-team left-back remains a priority for club officials.

However, targets in the position are at a premium, while the likes of VfB Stuttgart's Bona Sosa and Benfica's Alex Grimaldo have been mooted as potential options.

An exit for Bernardo Silva would likely bring City back to the negotiating table for a new central midfielder.

The club hold an admiration for Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, but any deal for the England international this summer looks next to impossible.

That could sway the Premier League side towards the likes of Olympique Lyonnais' Lucas Paqueta - a player whom club officials and scouts admire.