According to Diario Sport and Barca Universal, Silva has accepted terms worth around €7 million per year — less than half of his current earnings at the Etihad Stadium — in order to accommodate Barcelona's salary cap constraints under La Liga's financial fair play regulations.
The significant wage concession resolves what had been the primary obstacle in negotiations that have dragged on for two seasons, and clears the path for Silva to be registered immediately once the move is finalised.
The 31-year-old Portuguese international announced his departure from Manchester City earlier this season after nine years at the club. He will leave as a free agent in June having contributed three goals and five assists across 44 appearances this campaign.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed John Stones and Manuel Akanji are also departing, making Silva the latest in a significant summer rebuild at the Etihad.
Head coach Hansi Flick has given conditional approval for the signing, but is understood to require at least one midfield departure before committing. Marc Casado and Frenkie de Jong are among those whose futures remain unclear, with their exits creating the salary space needed to complete the deal without breaching La Liga's financial regulations.
Galatasaray had attempted to gazump Barcelona with a three-year package worth €15 million per year — supported by the presence of former City teammates Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan in Istanbul. Juventus also held weekly discussions with Silva's agent Jorge Mendes. Silva's response to both approaches has been consistent: Barcelona is his priority, and he is prepared to take a significant financial hit to make it happen.
Silva confirmed his desire publicly on Spanish television.
"I think we all know in football that there are stages. I gave everything for City and now I want to try something different. The feeling I have at the moment is that I want to try something different."
One remaining structural detail is the squad balance question at Barcelona. Silva is expected to be the only midfield signing this summer. If the necessary departures materialise, the formality of a full announcement could follow quickly.