Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Bernardo Silva and Arda Turan Rumours

The agent of AS Monaco star Bernardo Silva, Jorge Mendes, has reportedly told Barcelona Manchester United are the favourites to land his client. Meanwhile, Arda Turan has said the Catalans never had any intention of selling him during the summer.

According to Catalan newspaper Sport (h/t Sport Witness), the Blaugrana and a number of Premier League clubs have been in contact with Mendes, who has informed all interested parties the Red Devils are “in the driving seat” for Silva.

The Portugal international, who missed UEFA Euro 2016 through injury but likely would have been a starter for the eventual champions, has started the 2016-17 campaign in sensational form. He stole the show against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League and has been a big factor in Monaco's great start to the season.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been with the Ligue 1 club since 2014 and has mainly played as a winger and central playmaker. Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Silva mostly stands out for his dribbling and creativity, using his quick feet and ability to turn on a dime to devastating effects. He's a very good passer who is always looking for open spaces behind the defence, and he loves to run with the ball at his feet.

Scouted Football loved what he showed against Spurs, a match in which he haunted defenders throughout the night:

"

Bernardo Silva (22) very good tonight for a very good AS Monaco.

Composed, controlling, creative - and an excellent goal as well.

— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFootball) September 14, 2016"

Per Sport Witness, Sport's report doesn't clarify whether United actually have an option to sign the Portuguese star. The article does specify Silva's future depends on manager Jose Mourinho, and it could be he's just determined to play for his compatriot and join the Red Devils if they make an approach.

In Mourinho's 4-2-3-1, Silva could be a replacement for Wayne Rooney, operating in a central role behind main striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Silva has a tendency to drift out wide, and with Henrikh Mkhitaryan likely to start on the right before long, the two could form a devastating partnership, constantly switching positions.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Monaco's hot start to the season means the club will fight hard to keep Silva in January should interested parties step forward, but Silva is a budding star, and the French side won't be able to hold on to him once the top clubs in world football begin aggressively chasing him.

Elsewhere, Blaugrana midfielder Turan has weighed in on the transfer speculation which surrounded him throughout the summer, telling NTVspor (h/t Calciomercato) Barcelona were never interested in selling him:

"

Barcelona did not want to sell me. I’ve not listened to any of the rumours but the reports in Turkey were really exaggerated.

I’ve prepared well for the new season and I’m in good shape. Barcelona has confidence in me and I’ll do everything possible to repay their trust.

"

Several reports surfaced during the summer linking the Turkish star with moves abroad, with the likes of Arsenal mentioned as a possible target, per Marca (h/t Emre Sarigul of Turkish Football).

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

The 29-year-old made his Barcelona debut in January after the club's transfer ban came to an end, and he never really impressed in his first six months with the club. Turan's combative style brought a new element to the Blaugrana, but more often than not he seemed to get lost in midfield.

He's started the 2016-17 season in far better form, however, and has already featured heavily in La Liga. Per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, he's been asked to play a new position, and his positional versatility has served him well:

Turan's solid form gives manager Luis Enrique plenty of options, and while the Turk could still leave the club at some point in the future to accommodate a player like Silva, it's easy to see why the Catalans are on no rush to sell right now.