Barcelona agree personal terms with Bernardo Silva as Flick's approval remains pending

Barcelona have agreed personal terms with Bernardo Silva on a two-year contract, according to SportItalia, though the club’s manager Hansi Flick has not yet formally approved the signing. The 31-year-old is leaving Manchester City on a free transfer after nine years at the Etihad Stadium.

Agent Jorge Mendes, who has longstanding ties with Barcelona, has been given carte blanche to finalise the agreement. The club intends to formalise the deal at a moment that suits their financial fair play and salary limit situation. Silva, whose family already has ties to Barcelona, is said to be prioritising the Catalan club over other suitors despite interest from Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Flick’s position remains the key obstacle. ESPN have reported that club sources describe Silva as a “real option”, but the German coach has previously indicated he considers the midfield sufficiently stocked. His reluctance has already blocked at least one other summer target, with Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan failing to win his backing.

Silva’s arrival would form part of a busy summer for Barcelona. The club have already agreed a deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and are pursuing Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. Atletico, meanwhile, are also among the clubs who held positive talks with Silva before Barcelona moved to the front of the queue.

The Portuguese international has been linked with a move to Barcelona on and off for three years. Whether Flick ultimately endorses the deal is likely to determine whether those long-running rumours finally translate into a transfer.