Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal, with Arsenal also among the clubs closely monitoring one of Spain’s brightest young talents.
According to SPORT, several Premier League sides are tracking the Barcelona academy graduate, but City have gone further by exploring the possibility of signing the 19-year-old should Rodri leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The report claims City’s ongoing squad rebuild has placed Bernal firmly on their shortlist, alongside Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović. The club are assessing midfield reinforcements amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of Rodri, Nico González and Mateo Kovačić.
Arsenal are also said to be admirers of Bernal, while Chelsea and Atlético Madrid have been credited with interest in recent months.
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Bernal is regarded as one of Barcelona’s most valuable young players after establishing himself in the first team under Hansi Flick. Following a serious knee injury that temporarily halted his progress, the midfielder returned impressively and finished last season as a regular starter.
The Spaniard signed a new contract running until 2029 and has a reported €500 million release clause, making any transfer extremely difficult. Barcelona’s hierarchy are understood to have no intention of selling the academy graduate, who is viewed as a cornerstone of the club’s long-term project.
However, SPORT reports that Barcelona are now expected to accelerate discussions over an improved contract. Bernal’s current salary is believed to be among the lowest in the senior squad despite his growing importance, and the club are keen to reward his development while protecting themselves against continued interest from Europe’s elite.
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For Arsenal, Bernal represents exactly the type of technically gifted, high-upside midfielder the club has tracked in recent years. The Gunners have consistently monitored emerging talent across Europe, particularly players capable of developing into long-term first-team options.
Despite the reported interest, Barcelona remain confident. Bernal has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay at the club and is said to have made it clear that his priority is to continue his career at Camp Nou. Hansi Flick also considers him untouchable, viewing the youngster as one of the foundations of Barcelona’s future alongside Pedri and Lamine Yamal.
Manchester City’s interest may test Barcelona’s resolve before the transfer window closes, but as things stand, Bernal appears firmly committed to remaining in Catalonia, leaving Arsenal and the other interested clubs facing an uphill battle if they hope to prise him away.
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Marc Bernal