Manchester United Transfer News: Bernardo Silva Talks Reported, Latest Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with AS Monaco over the potential summer purchase of midfielder Bernardo Silva, although the Portugal international could cost as much as £70 million. 

According to Geoff Sweet in The Sun, United manager Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of Silva and United "are thought to have already started talks over a June transfer."

Sweet added that the Red Devils may negotiate to have first refusal on the 22-year-old, meaning they would be notified if another club comes in with a bid.

Per Dave Fraser in The Sun, Barcelona are also interested in Silva—whose Monaco contract runs until 2020—and are preparing their own summer bid, having sent technical director Robert Fernandez to watch him in the 3-0 win over OGC Nice.

Monaco are topping Ligue 1 and have looked one of the best sides in Europe this season—they have scored 70 goals in 24 matches:

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Silva has played a key role for Leonardo Jardim's side, netting five league goals and providing five assists while playing numerous positions, though he has predominantly been deployed on the right side of midfield, per WhoScored.com. 

As a playmaker, he is almost unmatched in the French top flight. As can be seen below, the former Benfica man is excellent on the ball, full of flair and an accomplished finisher:

Mourinho's squad is packed with wingers; Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata are all able to thrive on the flanks.

Silva could arguably improve United's squad, but the Red Devils have also been linked with an £84 million summer move for Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, with the Telegraph's James Ducker one journalist who's reported on the club's interest in the Frenchman.

Spending over £150 million on attacking talent in a single transfer window would be extravagant, even by United's standards, though not unprecedented—Real Madrid spent £171 million to bring in Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the summer of 2009. However, the Red Devils also need to add defensive depth if they are to compete for the Premier League title next season.

Silva is a huge talent and could be part of a devastating United attack next season alongside Mkhitaryan, Griezmann and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, if Monaco are demanding a £70 million transfer fee, United could be forced to look elsewhere.