Spanish daily Sport claim Barcelona are monitoring Manchester City midfielder David Silva’s situation at Eastlands, and are considering an audacious loan move in January.
The Spanish international has thus far underwhelmed in the Premier League since his big money transfer from Valencia, and although the 24-year-old has shown signs in recent weeks of getting to grips with English football, Catalan based Sport intimate Barcelona are desperate to land the mercurial playmaker at the turn of the year.
The newspaper suggests Barcelona are proposing an initial loan deal with Manchester City with a view of a permanent option in the summer, whereby the La Liga giants would match the fee the Premier League side paid Valencia in June, reportedly in the region of £24 million.
Despite the report, Roberto Mancini is believed to have been encouraged by the midfielder’s recent showings and is willing to give the player more time to impress his undoubted quality on the side.
Prior to his move to Manchester City, Silva had been strongly linked with both Manchester United and Liverpool, while Real Madrid were also rumoured to be coveting the precocious talent.