Transfer Talk: Barca have the cash to purchase Silva

Barcelona will resume negotiations to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva in January.

The LaLiga giants were frustrated in their pursuit to land the Portuguese maestro last summer when they were unable to offload Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United to balance the books.

But following the announcement of Gerard Pique’s retirement this week, Catalan media report the Blaugrana have received a financial boost ahead of the next transfer window.

Removing Pique’s salary from their accounts will grant boss Xavi extra funds to lure Silva to the Camp Nou.

The four-time Premier League winner has two goals and five assists in 12 top-flight outings this season.

However, the former Benfica and Monaco man is contracted at the Etihad until 2025 meaning the English champions have no pressing need to sell the 28-year-old.

Xavi is hoping to continue his squad overhaul in the coming months, having seen his side crash out of the Champions League group stage and suffer a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in last month’s El Clasico.