Chelsea have joined the race to sign Bernardo Silva and are ready to battle Manchester United and Barcelona for the AS Monaco man, as per reports.
According to a report from The Times, Chelsea have joined Manchester United and Barcelona in pursuit of Bernardo Silva. The Premier League leaders have initiated discussions with AS Monaco over a move for the Portugal international in the summer.
It is looking increasingly likely that Bernardo Silva could be on his way to a European heavyweight in the summer as he continues to make a mark at Stade Louis II. That is because after graduating from the famed SL Benfica academy, his stock has been constantly rising at AS Monaco.
This season, Silva has been instrumental in Monaco’s run up to being the surprise Ligue 1 leaders ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese has been ever present in his side’s attack as its creative force, showing superb technical skills, close control and vision.
As a result, Monaco have been one of the most prolific sides in all of Europe, with 76 goals in 26 Ligue 1 games in the campaign so far. The current season has also been Silva’s best statistically, with the 22-year-old scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 36 matches in all competitions.
His performances haven’t gone unnoticed for a second with some of the top clubs from across Europe showing an interest in the youngster. These include Real Madrid, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, but Barcelona and Manchester United showing the most concrete of interests.
Barcelona have scouted Silva on two occasions recently, with the club’s technical director Robert Fernandez personally present during one of these matches. Initially eyed as a potential replacement for Arda Turan, the Blaugrana are eager to add Silva now, with the view of adding him into the three-man midfield.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are targetting Silva as part of Jose Mourinho’s second phase of squad overhaul and have already opened talks with his representatives over a possible summer move. Jose Mourinho is said to be an admirer of Silva’s talents and the two have the same agent as well – Jorge Mendes – which could prove to be decisive.
However, both clubs are set to face competition from Chelsea with the Blues also initiating discussions over a possible summer move. Antonio Conte has revitalized the Premier League giants and the club is well on its way to clinching the league title this season.
His next aim is for the Blues to win the Champions League, and Conte has identified Silva as the right man to bolster his attack and line up alongside Diego Costa and Eden Hazard to create a formidable force for any side to face.
So, there is no shortage of suitors for Silva, and it looks like the Portugal international could spark a bidding war in the summer. With some of the biggest clubs in Europe interested in securing his services before 2017/18 starts, it will be interesting to see where Silva heads once the season ends.
