Manchester City Begin Negotiations To Sign Potential Bernardo Silva Replacement

Manchester City are eyeing Matheus Nunes as a successor to Bernardo Silva, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, as per reports.

Heading into the new season, Pep Guardiola seems to have finally initiated the squad overhaul he once famously discussed prior to City’s Champions League final loss against Chelsea in 2021.

Fresh faces such as Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega have stolen the headlines since their arrivals.

Erling Haaland

However, several key pillars behind Manchester City’s success over the years have bid adieu to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

After a decorated nine-year spell in the north-west, Fernandinho departed the Sky Blues to join former side Athletico Paranaense.

The likes of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, known for their commitment to the cause at all times in Manchester, have also gone on to join Arsenal.

City's leading scorer during the Pep Guardiola era Raheem Sterling has joined Chelsea.

Raheem Sterling with Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. (Chelsea FC)

Another City player whose name has been doing the rounds with regards to a potential exit is Bernardo Silva.

The Portugal international has been linked with a move to Barcelona, who seem keen on signing him as a likely replacement for Frenkie de Jong.

With the Spanish giants reported to be eyeing the Dutchman’s sale to ease their wage bill, it has widely been claimed that Silva is considered as the club’s dream midfield target.

Bernardo Silva during Manchester City's title celebrations

Other claims have suggested that despite enjoying arguably his finest season at City last term, the 27-year-old remains open to a switch to the Spotify Camp Nou.

As the uncertainty around Manchester City’s lynchpin continues, a fresh revelation states that the club have set their sights on an alternative.

According to the latest information provided by Jose Alvarez Haya of El Chiringuito de Jugones, the Premier League champions have already started negotiations with Sporting CP over a deal to sign Matheus Nunes.

Matheus Nunes

The highly-rated midfielder is viewed as a replacement for none other than Bernardo Silva.

Ever since Pep Guardiola labelled Nunes as ‘one of the best players in the world’ around City’s Champions League Round of 16 clash with Sporting earlier this year - Manchester City were heavily speculated with a move for the midfielder.

With Barcelona recently activating their third economic lever, it has been stated that Xavi’s men will go hell for leather to secure the arrival of Bernardo Silva.

While the flurry of links in the past would justify the arrival of Matheus Nunes, Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta is currently touted as the replacement for the potentially outgoing Bernardo Silva next season.