Silva, Cancelo & Thiago: Are Barcelona planning a Premier League raid this summer?

Eventually breezing their way to a first La Liga crown since 2019 last season, Barcelona have certainly turned a real corner under Xavi during the past 18 months.

Dethroning bitter rivals Real Madrid and appearing to have found some much-needed stability, the Spanish giants have made it clear that they’re looking to build on their domestic success this summer.

Welcoming now-former Manchester City icon Ilkay Gundogan to Catalonia earlier in the transfer window in what was a blockbuster free swoop, it is no secret that Barcelona are stuck dealing with some public financial restraints behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, while Xavi’s side might have made it clear that the likes of Aston Villa target Ferran Torres will be allowed to leave the Nou Camp, Barca reportedly have their sights set on a Premier League raid over the coming six weeks.

Looking to lure a string of England’s biggest names to La Liga this summer, we have taken a glance at three Premier League superstars that have been linked with a heavyweight move to Catalonia in 2023.

Bernardo Silva – Manchester City

While Bernardo Silva might have played a crucial role in Manchester City’s history-making treble-winning campaign last season, it is no secret that the ex-Monaco starlet has real question marks over his long-term future at the Etihad.

Although Pep Guardiola might have convinced the Portugal international to stay put in Manchester last summer, it has been heavily suggested that Silva is keen on starting a new adventure ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Despite firmly cementing his spot as a Man City icon since arriving at the Etihad back in the summer of 2017, Silva has attracted a host of interest since the window reopened last month.

While the 28-year-old might have passed on a jaw-dropping approach from Saudi Arabia earlier in the month, Silva reportedly remains one of PSG’s top targets this summer.

However, despite facing some major heavyweight competition this summer, Mundo Deportivo suggested earlier in the week that both Xavi and Barcelona are desperate to snap up Silva’s signature over the next fortnight.

Thiago Alcantara – Liverpool

With both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho linked with their own bank-breaking Middle Eastern switch this summer, it is no secret that Jurgen Klopp is planning a real midfield overhaul at Anfield.

Already welcoming Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to Merseyside since the transfer window opened, it has been suggested that Thiago Alcantara could be the next Liverpool star heading for the Anfield exit.

With SPORT reporting earlier in the week that Liverpool are willing to listen to offers for the Spain international, Barcelona have emerged as a leading contender to snap up for their former starlet this summer.

Now entering the final year of his current deal with the former Premier League champions, Thiago left the Nou Camp back in 2013 after winning 10 major honours with the European icons.

However, despite dealing with a host of injury issues since arriving at Anfield three years ago, SPORT’s report suggests that Xavi remains a huge admirer of his ex-teammate and is keen on a reunion this summer.

Joao Cancelo – Manchester City

Already welcoming Gundogan to Catalonia last month and still heavily linked with a swoop for Silva this summer, Barcelona reportedly still have their sights set on another Manchester City superstar.

At the heart of a public falling out with Guardiola after returning from the World Cup’s winter break, it has been made clear to Joao Cancelo and his representatives that the ex-Juventus defender has no long-term future at the Etihad.

Despite making a brief loan switch to Bayern Munich during the second-half of last season, Cancelo failed to find any real stability and the German giants announced that they would be passing on the opportunity to make that move a permanent one.

With the English giants desperate to move to Portugal international on this summer, Mundo Deportivo reported earlier in the week that Barcelona have registered their interest in the 29-year-old.

With that report suggesting that Cancelo himself is keen on securing a move to Catalonia, Xavi’s side are willing to test City’s resolve with an initial loan offer.