Man City star ‘spotted on Barcelona flight’ by BBC journalist amid Nou Camp transfer rumours

A Manchester City player was sighted returning from Barcelona on an aircraft, and there have been rumours circulating that he was linked to the Spanish powerhouses.

By their standards, Man City had a rather active transfer market last summer as a number of players from Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning team left for fresh opportunities.

Hero of the FA Cup final Ilkay Gundogan turned down a new deal at Etihad Stadium to join Barcelona, while Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez signed with Saudi Pro League teams Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr, respectively.

Joao Cancelo, who had a falling out with Guardiola, joined Gundogan in Barcelona for a season-long loan, but he was not present for City’s treble-winning efforts.

Bernardo Silva was one player who refused to leave the team even though he had requested to do so each of the previous three summer windows.

The Portuguese sensation, who has established himself as one of the top players in the Premier League and even in European football, has been essential to City’s recent success.

In the summers of 2020, 2021, and 2022, Silva requested to leave the club despite this, not because he wasn’t content at City but rather because he was having trouble adjusting to life in Manchester.

As was the case with Cole Palmer, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling, City’s philosophy is to allow players to depart if they receive an acceptable offer.

Barça is desperate to get Bernardo, but the reigning Premier League champions have never received a good bid for him.

A trade has been impossible due to the Spanish giants’ financial difficulties, but there may be movement on Barca’s end, according to a BBC journalist’s scoop.

Journalist Bettywyn Glover of BBC Sport said on her Instagram account on Wednesday that she saw Silva during her Ryanair journey from Barcelona to Manchester.

In August of last year, Silva reportedly agreed to a one-year contract extension with City that included a £50 million release clause.

Barcelona or another possible suitor will find it easier to pry the 29-year-old away thanks to the clause, as City has previously refused to sell him for that amount of money.