While Joao Felix has been linked with the club, it appears that Barcelona's manager, Xavi, has no interest in signing the Atletico Madrid forward. On the other hand, Bernardo has long been on Barcelona's radar, and the Portugal international remains hopeful that a deal can be reached this summer.
Bernardo's agent, Jorge Mendes, is said to be working hard to facilitate the move, but the deal is proving to be quite complicated. As a key player for Manchester City, Bernardo played a crucial role in their success last season, contributing seven goals and eight assists in 55 appearances across all competitions as the team won the treble.
Having joined Manchester City from Monaco in July 2017, Bernardo has become a significant figure at the club, featuring in 306 matches. He still has two years left on his contract, but he has been vocal about his desire to leave for personal reasons, with a desire to be closer to his family in Portugal.
While there were rumors of interest from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal earlier in the summer, Bernardo is reportedly keen on staying in European football at this stage of his career. Manchester City is willing to offer him a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid players at the club.
Despite Manchester City's stance that Bernardo will not be allowed to leave this summer due to his importance to the team, the player remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached. The departure of Dembele would provide Barcelona with a financial boost and free up salary space, potentially aiding the move for Bernardo. The situation is being closely monitored as the transfer window unfolds.
