I don’t believe it’s related at all
No evidence to suggest it is
Either come out and say ur an ITK or say what you think but don’t make it sound like your an ITK when your not
I think it's obvious due to number of reasons:
1) Twice during four years, Bernardo played his best football when KDB was injured.
2) That wasn't a coincidence, we somehow found out during these years that he plays his best football as RCM and that's the position where KDB plays his best football as a midfielder in Pep`s system as well
3) Bernardo`s fantastic performances in December-January-February period, made Pep realize what was missing and what midfield needed. He once again understood the importance of ball control and so called tiki-taka and that KEY to the success is balance between those KDB high tempo crosses / long balls / one-touch-passes and Bernardo`s low tempo, pauses, u-turns and maneuvers.
4) Pep in January-February period started to talk about it and during the interview, highlighted the difference between KDB and Bernardo as a midfielders. It means that Pep also admitted and acknowledged that Bernardo and KDB could both deliver their best football only as RCM-s and he had to pick. There was no other option than that.
5) This season`s success apart from Ruben and Foden`s progress and etc. was also built on Gundo-Bernardo midfield - which was a perfect balance between dynamic and more of a static football. Unfortunately Gundo-KDB never was that good, because they are both more like a dynamic midfielders and that's why there is no balance. So as a result Pep had to stick to Gundo-Bernardo duo in midfield and KDB had to play False9 - during whole CL playoffs phase.
6) KDB signed his contract and it means that Club declared that even though Gundo-Bernardo midfield`s success and etc. they valued KDB so high that there was no other option than that. But of course Club also acknowledged the importance of balance and that's why we hear a lot of rumors about Jack Grealish. It's like unwritten rule: If KDB stays and therefore he can't continue as False 9 and has to be moved back to his RCM position, then there is a need of a LCM - who will balance him.
7) Both Bernardo and Gundogan are a subject of transfer rumors and that's the result of above mentioned processes.
8) And there are a lots of rumors about Jack Grealish as well
So my understanding is that, due to reason that KDB stayed and he will play as RCM again starting from the next season - City is more prepared to pay that sum for Grealish than for Kane or another striker. Because midfield area is a cornerstone and in terms of attackers there still are other cheaper options, not to mention Jesus and Torres.
Grealish is a top priority without any doubt.
