Atletico Madrid makes Manchester City player a summer priority

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid are ready to defend their Spanish title and by doing so they will start their recruitment with Bernardo Silva from Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side are set for a lot of changes, coming in and going out of the club. Players on the fringe will be sold and used to fund incomings that Pep perceives fit to take this already star-studded City squad to the next level.

To make this vision a reality for the English champs, they are rumoured to be in for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and Tottenham’s wantaway striker Harry Kane. Space has already been made for the latter following the departure of Kun Ageruo to Barcelona on a free transfer.

Bernardo Silva out and Jack Grealish in?

For the former to be added to the City roster a player must still leave – and that player could be Bernardo Silva who must make way for a Grealish transfer. Prior to this transfer story, it was widely reported that the Portuguese will be transfer listed by the club.

All English Premier League

"France Football report that Spanish side Atletico Madrid are actively targeting the signing of Portuguese international attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva.Diego Simeone has decided that the 26-year-old is a serious target for him this summer, with Silva having struggled over the course of 2020/21 to earn an undisputed position in the starting XI."

The attacking midfielder has always been a steady figure in Pep’s starting XI, however, this season past he struggled to secure a regular starting birth.

In the 2019/2020 campaign he started 23 Premier League games but featured in almost all 38 of the games, missing out by four starts, he made 34 league appearances.

The 2020/21 winning run was an even lower count, making it seem as if he wasn’t even needed for their success. He started 24 out of 26 PL games for Guardiola.

That is quite a low number and an unusual showing for a player who is supposed to be an important figure to Manchester City. This could in return, single he has become surplus to requirements to the club and exit plans could be well in motion.

Atletico Madrid to use their connections to make a deal possible

There will be many suitors for a player of Silva’s quality – and that’s why it not surprising to hear Diego Simeone wants him at the Metropolitano.

This, and the Madrid boss has been a long-term admirer of the attacking midfielder which certainly pegs them as favourites for his signature. Reports suggest Simeone will use his good relationship with Jorge Mendes to help get the deal over the line.

"Atleti are hoping to take advantage of their strong relationship with Jorge Mendes to facilitate a deal. In the even that Silva leaves Manchester City, the Premier League club will target Aston Villa’s attacking midfielder Jack Grealish. (Via: getfootballnewsfrance.com)"

Silva has been a major outlet for Man City in his time at the club. In his four terms, he’s scored 21 goals and assisted a further 24, this in 131 appearances. This season, despite playing a limited number of games, he had a goal involvement of 14 for City across all competitions.

He will surely add quality to the Colchoneros and Man City will lose a good attacking outlet but are undoubtedly replacing him with quality in Jack Grealish – that’s if they are to get him.