Arsenal exploring Bernardo transfer as Maddison alternative
Arsenal are eyeing up a surprise move for Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva, according to reports.
Silva’s future is in doubt after City signed Jack Grealish for £100million.
And Pep Guardiola has admitted that the ex-Monaco man is hoping to leave the Premier League champions in the near future.
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The Portuguese playmaker made 26 league appearances last season as City lifted the title with 86 points.
He also featured 13 times in the Champions League, scoring one goal, as they reached the final of the competition.
When asked about Silva leaving the club this summer, Guardiola said: “Not just Bernardo, there are two, three, four players who want to leave but they are our players under contract and when they bring some offers and want to leave, we are open to discuss for absolutely everything with all the players in the squad.
“But it depends on them and otherwise they continue to train and I decide if they play or don’t play.”
Arsenal, who are looking to sign a creative midfielder could make a shock bid to bring Bernardo to north London according to the Daily Mirror.
The Gunners will reportedly compete with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid for his signature, but the financial struggles of both clubs could give Arsenal the upper hand in negotiations for the 26-year-old.
City won’t entertain any offers below £45million, which is what they paid for him back in 2017.
Silva has made over 200 appearances for City in four years, scoring 35 goals and assisting 44 more.
He’s picked up an impressive trophy haul which includes three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four EFL Cups and two Community Shields.
That winning touch is needed at the Emirates as they look to bounce back from an eighth place finish last term.
Mikel Arteta worked with Bernardo at City during his time as Guardiola’s No.2.
Houssem Aouar and James Maddison have also been strongly linked with Arsenal this summer to help lift some of the playmaking burden off of Emile Smith Rowe.
Smith Rowe penned a new long-term contract at the Gunners last month after an excellent 2020/21 campaign.
The 20-year-old youth product, who joined the club at the age of nine, made 33 first-team appearances during his breakthrough season.
