JOAO FELIX claims he has “convinced” Portugal team-mate Bernardo Silva to join Barcelona.
Manchester City star, Silva, 29, was heavily linked with a move to the Catalan giants in 2022 and last summer.
In August, he seemingly quashed any talk of a departure by signing a new deal to keep him at the Etihad until 2026.
But Barcelona forward Felix, 24, has now reignited that talk by claiming he has spoken to Silva who has been asking a lot of questions about the city.
Speaking to Catalunya Radio, the former Chelsea loanee said: “I think I’ve convinced Bernardo Silva to join Barca, that’s all true. But it doesn’t depend on him right now.
“He asked me about places to live, places to eat, safety… everything.
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“If he comes, Barca will be delighted with Bernardo.”
Silva joined Man City from Monaco in a deal worth £43million back in 2017.
He has been one of Pep Guardiola’s most successful signings, racking up 345 appearances, 64 goals and 63 assists.
The Portuguese playmaker has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
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It’s going to go right down to the wire with just one point separating the top three – but how do Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City’s run-ins compare?
ARSENAL: Aston Villa (H), Wolves (A) Chelsea (H), Spurs (A), Bournemouth (H), Man Utd (A) and Everton (H)
LIVERPOOL: Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A), Everton (A), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H)
MAN CITY: Luton (H), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (H) and Tottenham (A TBC)
On a personal level, he was also named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2019 and 2022, while he made the Champions League Team of the Season following Man City’s triumph last season.
Barcelona sit eight points adrift of Real Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table with just eight games remaining.
But they are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and will travel to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their tie on Wednesday.
Manager Xavi has confirmed he is leaving at the end of the season, with his replacement yet to be confirmed.
Hansi Flick, Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi are among the frontrunners, according to the bookies.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
