Ilkay Gundogan is currently Barcelona's top summer transfer target, who are keen to sign the Manchester City midfielder instead of midfielder Bernardo Silva.
Pep Guardiola can still have Bernardo Silva at his disposal next season
Barcelona are stepping up their hunt for Ilkay Gundogan - while ending interest in Manchester City striker Bernardo Silva.
Both Etihad midfielders have been on the radar of the Spanish giants for most of the year.
However, due to the current financial crisis, Barcelona have decided that they cannot afford the £60m needed to take Silva away from the English champions.
The 28-year-old Portuguese still has more than two years left on his City contract - and appears to still be a key part of Pep Guardiola's squad.
Of course, like the captain of City Gundogan. The German has also been an integral part of the club's pursuit of a treble this season.
But the former Borussia Dortmund player's current contract expires at the end of the season and he will be a free agent this summer.
Ilkay Gundogan could be signed by Barcelona instead of Bernardo Silva
And, even at 32, that makes the four-time Premier League winner a much more attractive proposition than Silva for leaders fleeing La Liga who are short on cash.
Gundogan's representatives were in Barcelona during the recent international break to discuss the possibility of a switch.
Meanwhile, Barcelona have informed Silva's advisers that a move to Camp Nou in large amounts no longer suits the former Monaco and Benfica ace.
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Gerard Pique Issues Warning Against Lionel Messi Transfer To Barcelona
Former Barcelona star Gerard Pique has given his thoughts on the club's efforts to bring Lionel Messi back to Catalonia.
The Blaugrana have been closely linked with a free transfer for their former talisman at the end of the 2022/23 season, should he choose to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi's current contract in Paris is set to expire in June with negotiations over activating his 12-month extension stalled as Barcelona prepare for their next move.
Despite the difficulties in making a potential offer for Messi, due to Barcelona's financial problems, the club's vice president Rafa Yuste has said that Barcelona are in talks with Messi and his agent. that.
Lionel Messi
However, Pique has chosen cautiously given the evolving scenario as Barcelona still face a series of hurdles in their bid to eliminate Messi in 2023. "I know Rafa Yuste and what kind of person he is. He is a very nice person and will always tell you what you want to hear," according to a report from Mundo Deportivo.
"He's a great guy, and he'll pick the right words to say what you want to hear.
"Obviously for all the 'cules' it would be great if Leo came back, but there comes a time when forcing things too much can backfire."
Yuste and Barcelona are still confident they will convince Messi of the fairy tale return to the Camp Nou, but PSG are also determined to keep the Argentine and could offer him an "indefinite contract".
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