FC Barcelona’s decision means that Manchester City will be able to keep Bernardo Silva past the current summer transfer window.

At the height of his professional playing career, the Portugal international has long harbored dreams of moving closer to home and into circumstances that are more culturally comparable to his own country.

Due to his current standing in the international game, the former AS Monaco player’s options have been severely constrained, ruling out the possibility of a move back to Benfica as well as elsewhere in the Premier League, possibly even France.

In the three summer transfer windows that Pep Guardiola has imposed on his all-conquering team, Bernardo Silva has remained a model professional and a vital part of the system, even if he has been unable to gain a move away from the Etihad Stadium.

Although it was anticipated that the summer transfer window would provide Bernardo Silva more opportunities to leave City with a lucrative release clause, one of his main choices is now very unlikely to materialize.

The Portuguese international will not be joining FC Barcelona this summer, according to Marca journalist Luis Rojo, who adds that the Catalan team has been interested in the player for a long time.

The dynamic playmaker’s £50 million release clause in his newly extended Manchester City contract is further disclosed to expire on June 30 and to be clear, the La Liga team will not activate it prior to then.

Even though Bernardo Silva might not leave the team in the upcoming days, weeks, or months, Manchester City is still expected to add players in the middle of the park as they focus for the future and possible backup for staple Rodri.

The Spanish international is currently used extensively for both clubs and his country, playing in over 70 matches year and raising questions about his physical endurance given the demanding schedule.

Though it now seems doubtful that Manchester City will exercise Bruno Guimaraes’ £100 million release clause at Newcastle United, which expires at the end of the month, Guimaraes might be the player they turn to in the following weeks.