‘Would be a massive downgrade’ – Many fans saying the same thing as Man City eye Ligue 1 Star as potential Bernardo Silva replacement

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims the club is considering a move for Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Lucas Paquetá in the event of an exit for Bernardo Silva.

The Portuguese midfielder is under contract until 2025 but has been keen to leave since last summer and Jorge Mendes is working to find him a way out of the Etihad.

Despite Pep Guardiola reiterating that the Citizens wish to keep hold of the former SL Benfica and AS Monaco midfielder, the speculations refuse to go away.

The Portuguese midfielder is still being strongly linked with a switch to Camp Nou, and a recent report even claimed that the Portugal international had told his agent to open talks over a move to Xavi’s side.

According to L’equipe, the Sky Blues are thinking of Lyonnais, Lucas Paqueta, in the event of the departure of Bernardo Silva, who wants a change of scenery.

Paqueta has been linked with a move to Premier League all summer, with Arsenal and Newcastle being the clubs showing the most interest, but L’Equipe states that the Lyon star is not currently interested in the prospect of joining any of the two clubs and would prefer a move to either Man City or Tottenham.

As per the report from the French outlet, Paqueta has agreed to leave the club if Lyon president Jean Michael-Aulus should decide to cash in on one of his most prized assets.

That price Lyon wants is not named in the L’Equipe report but Paqueta is valued at £31.5million by Transfermarkt, although he would likely be more expensive.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from Man City supporters.

“That would be a massive downgrade”
Credit: @eppalengjo

“What a Downgrade that is.”
Credit: @MtMcfc

“I would love Paqueta but not at the cost of Bernardo”
Credit: @Guilher94200111

“Would be a huge downgrade. If Bernardo leaves we need to replace him with a world class player, not a dancing merchant from a team who finished 8th in the French league.”
Credit: @FplVester

“Good replacement although i don’t want bernardo to leave”
Credit: @Billal_Ait

“There’s no Bernardo Silva replacement. We cannoh replace him.”
Credit: @___STxN

“since he signed with Lyon he’s been class but he wouldn’t be a like for like replacement, not that there are many out there similar to Bernardo anyways.”
Credit: @itsneus

“There’s no one in world football who can replace the player and the person that Bernardo is. Just give him what he wants and keep him at the club.”
Credit: @SurePradyumna