Barcelona sporting director Deco says Bernardo Silva wanted to join the Catalan club, but a move was not pursued because his position did not fit the club’s plans and the financial and playing-time conditions were not suitable.
Deco said Silva was not the type of midfielder Barcelona were looking to add, despite acknowledging the player’s quality.
Deco said in an interview with RAC1. “He wasn’t the position we were looking for.”
The Barcelona sporting director described Silva as an outstanding player but said the club had its own recruitment criteria. Those plans took priority even after Barcelona learned that Silva wanted to join the club.
"He wanted to COME to Barça, but it didn’t happen because we have our own parameters”. “It was an economic issue and about playing minutes. He wanted to play, but I prefer our own players.”,
Barcelona did not consider his position an immediate need, and the player’s interest was not enough to change that assessment.
How Finances And Playing Time Affected The Transfer
Barcelona has not disclosed the specific financial figures involved. There is no verified information on Silva’s proposed salary, transfer fee, signing bonus, or contract structure.
Playing time was also a factor. Deco said Barcelona would not promise a player regular minutes, leaving Silva’s potential role in the squad as another unresolved issue.
"If he were to come, it would always be under the conditions we mentioned to him: 'Promises to play? We'll never do that.' We give the coach what he needs, but in the end, if the player asks for other things, then we let him go."
That does not confirm that Silva made a formal demand for guaranteed starts. It only shows that playing-time expectations were part of Deco’s explanation. The full details of any negotiations remain unclear.
No verified report has established that Barcelona made a formal offer or reached an agreement on personal terms.
Bernardo Silva Is Now With Real Madrid
Silva ultimately became a Real Madrid player after leaving Manchester City. Real Madrid’s official squad and matchday material list the Portuguese midfielder as part of the club’s first-team group.
The available evidence does not confirm that Barcelona and Real Madrid were involved in a direct bidding contest for Silva. It also does not establish when Madrid entered the process or whether Barcelona withdrew before the Spanish club made its move.
Reports have described Silva’s move to Real Madrid as a free transfer, with BBC Sport reporting that he signed a two-year deal. That information is separate from Deco’s explanation.
