Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both pursuing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva and Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella this summer, according to reports from Barça Universal citing sources within Spanish football media.
The interest from both clubs comes amidst a growing rivalry sparked by a dispute over Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, with Barcelona reportedly making advances that have been publicly rejected by Los Colchoneros. This shared pursuit of Silva and Cucurella adds another layer to the developing transfer-market clash between the two Spanish giants.
Bernardo Silva’s contract with Manchester City is set to expire on June 30, 2026, positioning the 31-year-old as a significant free agent. While Atletico Madrid had previously been considered the frontrunners for his signature, Barcelona have reportedly gained ground in recent weeks. Silva has been linked with a move to Barcelona in previous transfer windows, but the club’s financial difficulties have consistently hindered any potential deal. The Portuguese international has stated he will postpone a decision on his future until after the World Cup with Portugal, providing Barcelona with additional time to assess their financial situation and explore potential transfer structures.
Marc Cucurella, the 26-year-old Spanish left-back currently at Chelsea, is also a target for both clubs. However, unlike Silva, Cucurella is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2028, meaning Chelsea would demand a transfer fee. For Atletico, Cucurella would directly address a need to strengthen their left flank. Barcelona’s interest in Cucurella is more nuanced, as the player progressed through La Masía and maintains connections with the club. Any potential move for Cucurella will depend on the overall plans of new Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and his defensive rebuild.
Barcelona have publicly contested Atletico’s assertion that they did not receive a €100m offer for Alvarez, while Atletico have been firm in their stance regarding the striker. Atletico Madrid currently possess a stronger financial position than Barcelona, who continue to operate under La Liga’s spending regulations. The outcome of the Alvarez situation is expected to influence the level of investment each club is willing to make in pursuing Silva and Cucurella. This could shape the direction of both clubs’ transfer windows as they look to strengthen their squads for the 2026/27 season.
