FinallyGamble
Well-Known Member
The Sunday Mirror reporting Merlin could be sought after.
"Barcelona will go all out to land Manchester City playmaker David Silva to replace the ageing Xavi, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.
Senior officials from the Catalan club have compiled a list of candidates to take over the 34-year-old Barca idol’s role this summer – and £50million-rated Silva is their unanimous choice.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini views Silva as crucial to his side’s success in the coming seasons as they try to dominate the Premier League and the Champions League.
But Nou Camp bosses see Silva as the perfect replacement for Xavi, who passed his landmark 700th game for the La Liga giants last month.
The iconic midfielder is rumoured to have had offers from both the USA and China to take a massive final payday, and there have been whispers that he is not as effective as he was in previous seasons. Some in the Barca hierarchy believe that his many years at the top, playing a high intensity pressing game with Spain and Barcelona, have taken their toll on Xavi.
And they see Silva, 28, as the ideal man to slot into midfield at the Nou Camp if and when Xavi moves on.
Pellegrini fears that City star Silva will be ambushed when he joins up with Spain for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Barcelona’s big names may try to tempt Silva back to his homeland – a lure that could prove too much for the former Valencia star who joined City for £25million in 2010.
Barcelona’s executives are facing key decisions in midfield and defence as well, with skipper Carles Puyol reaching 36 in April.
But it is a replacement for passing machine Xavi that is key for them – and a nightmare prospect for City."
"Barcelona will go all out to land Manchester City playmaker David Silva to replace the ageing Xavi, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.
Senior officials from the Catalan club have compiled a list of candidates to take over the 34-year-old Barca idol’s role this summer – and £50million-rated Silva is their unanimous choice.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini views Silva as crucial to his side’s success in the coming seasons as they try to dominate the Premier League and the Champions League.
But Nou Camp bosses see Silva as the perfect replacement for Xavi, who passed his landmark 700th game for the La Liga giants last month.
The iconic midfielder is rumoured to have had offers from both the USA and China to take a massive final payday, and there have been whispers that he is not as effective as he was in previous seasons. Some in the Barca hierarchy believe that his many years at the top, playing a high intensity pressing game with Spain and Barcelona, have taken their toll on Xavi.
And they see Silva, 28, as the ideal man to slot into midfield at the Nou Camp if and when Xavi moves on.
Pellegrini fears that City star Silva will be ambushed when he joins up with Spain for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Barcelona’s big names may try to tempt Silva back to his homeland – a lure that could prove too much for the former Valencia star who joined City for £25million in 2010.
Barcelona’s executives are facing key decisions in midfield and defence as well, with skipper Carles Puyol reaching 36 in April.
But it is a replacement for passing machine Xavi that is key for them – and a nightmare prospect for City."