Man City midfielder Bernardo Silva responds to Barcelona and Saudi Arabia transfer interest

Bernardo Silva has played down the prospect of a move to the Saudi Pro League but refused to be drawn on the prospect of a transfer to Barcelona.

The 29-year-old signed a new contract at the Etihad in the summer but he has kept his options open in the last few transfer windows and has made his intention to one day pursue a new challenge clear.

There was interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia last summer, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been keen to sign the Portuguese midfielder, but it is Barcelona he has been linked move with most often.

ALSO READ: Guardiola and Bernardo respond to new Club World Cup schedule

ALSO READ: De Bruyne back in training but Doku and Haaland still absent

The La Liga side are struggling to put any kind of financial package together to make a move happen, however, and Bernardo continues to impress for City and remains a key cog in Pep Guardiola's side.

Ahead of City's Club World Cup semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday, he was asked about Barcelona at the start of a press conference in Jeddah but insisted his focus remained on City and winning a fifth trophy in 2023.

"The first question I’m not going to answer, that’s not the point here, my focus is on Manchester City and winning a very important competition," he said.

Later in the press conference, Bernardo was asked about the Saudi Pro League after their unprecedented spending spree last summer, fuelled by the four biggest clubs being taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

He was one of the players targeted and while former teammates Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez moved to Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli respectively, Bernardo wants to remain competing in Europe.

"For now I’m focused on Manchester City, happy