Report: Xavi seeks Bernardo Silva and Pedri partnership for Iniesta-Xavi effect

Barcelona have been interested in Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and reports now claim that manager Xavi Hernandez wants the club to sign the midfielder for an audacious new project.

The 27-year-old Portuguese is a big admirer of the Catalan club and has expressed an interest to one day wear their colours in a match. The Catalans could finally make a move for the player as Silva’s club Manchester City are interested in midfielder Frenkie De Jong, who the Catalan giants could use for a swap deal with Silva.

While Xavi has continuously stated to all within the club that he sees De Jong as part of his project, Barcelona’s president has declared all except seven players as disposable. One of the untouchables is Pedri Gonzalez, who Xavi is reportedly hoping to partner with Silva in a bid to replicate the partnership he had with Andres Iniesta while he was an active player for the club.

The operation could be tricky as Silva only recently signed a contract extension at the Etihad until 2025. His current salary is in excess of £150,000-per-week and he is valued at £70 million by City. De Jong is valued at a similar price but it is unlikely that City will be willing to do a swap deal with Barcelona.

The club, however, have good relations with Silva’s agent Jorge Mendes and could leverage on that relationship to sign the midfielder.

Barcelona have also begun negotiations with the entourage of VfB Stuttgart left-back Borna Sosa ahead of a summer transfer.

The Croatian is one of ten left-backs that the club earmarked for a summer transfer but it is claimed by Spanish and German media that Barcelona have approached the player’s entourage to discuss a move.

German tabloid BILD also reports that the defender is pushing his representatives to continue the discussions and that the situation has left Stuttgart upset as they are currently embroiled in a relegation battle in the German Bundesliga.

His contract at the German side also runs till 2025 but their asking price of €25 million is right up Barcelona’s alley. However, some figures at the club prefer Celta De Vigo’s Javi Galan while some others would rather sign Valencia captain Jose Luis Gaya.

It remains to be seen if the deal will take off however, with there being some division over the left-back to be signed.