Barcelona Transfer News: David Silva Denies Exit Rumours, Ibrahim Afellay Latest

Manchester City midfielder David Silva has opened up about recent transfer rumours linking him with Barcelona, and while he failed to rule out a return to Valencia one day, he emphasised there's no move away from Manchester in his immediate future.

As reported by Marca (via the Mirror's Jacob Murtagh), the Spain international is more than happy with the Citizens:

"

I'm happy, people treat me really well.

Although I'm not thinking about it right now, if I had to return to Valencia, I wouldn't rule it out. However, I'd also like to play and hang up my boots at UD Las Palmas.

(On City) We've won two league titles and other silverware but we have to go that step further in the Champions League.

"

The 29-year-old is enjoying another fine season in the Premier League, playing right behind City's vaunted attack and doing plenty of damage. As shared by Squawka, his passing is as sharp as ever:

A summer move to Barcelona would have been impossible regardless of his intentions, with the Blaugrana still facing a transfer embargo, but with an eye on the future, it's easy to see why the Catalans would be interested in Silva.

Passing wizard Xavi is already in the twilight of his career, and judging by recent production, Andres Iniesta may not be too far behind:

The club's youth academy is filled with talent, and Alen Halilovic should make his first-team debut before long, but it's never a bad idea to add a proven contributor. And judging by Silva's latest comments, he could be open to a move if City fail to deliver on the international level in the next years.

Bleacher Report's Rob Pollard heard what the Spaniard had to say and could only come to one conclusion:

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Manchester City Must Match David Silva Champions League Ambitions to Keep Star http://t.co/O7sLzMR25J

— B/R Football (@br_football) April 1, 2015"

The Citizens have consistently underperformed in the Champions League, and if it's that kind of silverware he's looking for, there are few better places to go to than Barcelona.

That doesn't mean a transfer is imminent—not by a long shot. But it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds and whether the Blaugrana board believe he would be the perfect short-term replacement for Xavi and Iniesta.

Ibrahim Afellay Talks Potential Barcelona Exit

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Impending free agent Ibrahim Afellay is already preparing his next move, and during an interview with Voetbal International (h/t Goal's Pieter Stroin van Eizenga, comments in Dutch), he likes the idea of returning to Eredivisie side PSV.

The midfielder talked at length about the club's title chances, and when asked about his future, he stated he'll see what happens when the time comes and that PSV will always be an option.

His agent Mino Raiola maintains there has been no contact, however, per Barcastuff:

"

Raiola (agent Afellay): "Rumours about return to PSV? Nonsense. His contract at Barça expires, that's it. No club contacted us so far" [elf]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) April 1, 2015"

Once regarded as the top talent to come out of the Netherlands in a decade, the now-28-year-old Afellay never lived up to the lofty expectations, in part due to a long list of injuries.

He hasn't featured for the Blaugrana in ages and is currently on loan with Olympiakos, and a summer exit has always looked likely. Barcelona may not be able to bring in fresh faces due to their transfer ban, but the Netherlands international is one of few they can afford to let go.

Afellay needs a fresh start, and the Catalans have little use for him. A contract extension seems next to impossible, and while it would make sense to keep him around for one more season as cover, Barcelona will likely just let him walk and move on.

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