Manchester City request specific name from PSG in Bernardo Silva swap attempt

Manchester City are willing to discuss a player exchange with Paris Saint-Germain involving Bernardo Silva, who is a top target for the Ligue 1 side.

With each passing week, it is becoming more of a reality that Bernardo Silva’s time at the Etihad Stadium may be coming to an end, with the player showing a continued interest in moving elsewhere for some time.

It was only last summer that the 28 year-old was in advanced talks with La Liga Champions FC Barcelona regarding a transfer, only to have the deal blocked by the Spanish club’s inability to meet Manchester City’s valuation due to their own financial constraints.

In recent months, Etihad Stadiums officials have once again become more willing to discuss a deal for the Portuguese international, with their price tag set at a reported £75 million, catching the eye of Paris Saint-Germain earlier on in the month.

Despite the Parisian club reportedly making a contract deal with the 28 year-old’s agent and a bid to Etihad higher-ups, the English side were not willing to discuss a deal at the time due to the important fixtures that loomed towards the back end of the campaign.

Now, with City having secured the Treble and the transfer window back open for another year, RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins reports that Manchester have started to negotiate with PSG for Bernardo Silva, going as far as requesting 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery as part of a deal.

Zaire-Emery made 10 starts at the Parc De Princes in the previous campaign, and managing to find the back of the net twice. With the highly-rated teenage talent having two years left on his current deal, the French side were reportedly quick to reject the Etihad officials’ proposal.

Manchester City’s counter proposal came after PSG’s offers of Marco Veratti or Gianluigi Donnarumma, in an attempt to bring down the asking price set by the English side, were rejected.

While PSG has caught the interest of Bernardo Silva in recent weeks, according to Hawkins, his heart still lies with a move to Spain, where he has had interest from Catalonia for some time and is fond of the lifestyle available.

In the event that the 28 year-old leaves the Etihad Stadium this summer, it is believed that the Sky Blues have his replacement lined up in Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic – who is expected to make a move north.

Manchester City also hold an interest in West Ham United’s Declan Rice, and could rival Arsenal in the pursuit for the England international – who is expected to fetch £100 million as a transfer fee.