Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'expect Bernardo Silva to leave this summer'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 04 July 2023

Man City 'expect Bernardo Silva to leave this summer'

Manchester City are growing increasingly pessimistic about the prospect of keeping hold of playmaker Bernardo Silva this summer, according to a report.

The 28-year-old has spent the last six seasons at the Etihad Stadium, winning 14 trophies as well as recording 55 goals and 59 assists in 306 appearances across all competitions since joining from Monaco in 2017.

Bernardo chipped in with seven goals and eight assists in 55 games for the Citizens last season as Pep Guardiola's side won a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.

The Portuguese playmaker still has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, but he is now believed to be seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere and has allegedly informed Man City of his desire to leave the club this summer.

Barcelona were interested in signing Bernardo earlier this summer, but their well-documented financial troubles are preventing them from pursuing a deal, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest.

Manchester City's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Bernardo Silva on May 17, 2023 © Reuters

Indeed, PSG-bound manager Luis Enrique – who is reportedly set to replace Christophe Galtier in the Parc des Princes dugout – is understood to have identified Bernardo as one of his primary transfer targets ahead of the new season.

However, European suitors may find it challenging to fend off interest from Saudi Arabia, with Football Insider reporting that Bernardo has received a "mind-boggling" contract offer to head over to the Middle East.

It is thought that Bernardo has been offered wages in the region of £800,000 per week, a significant increase to his current £150,000-a-week salary at Man City.

Although Man City are understood to have offered Bernardo a new contract, Guardiola's side are now said to be 'fearing the worst' about the playmaker's future at the club and they expect him to be tempted by the lucrative Saudi offer on the table.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates on July 23, 2022 © Reuters

Bernardo, who is valued by Man City at around £75m, could become the latest Portuguese player to swap European football for the riches of Saudi Arabia after Ruben Neves and Jota, who have joined Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad respectively this summer.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the first high-profile signings by a Saudi Pro League club when he joined Al-Nassr in January, while the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Marcelo Brozovic have all since followed this summer.

Man City have already bid farewell to captain Ilkay Gundogan this summer, with the midfielder joining Barcelona on a free transfer, but they have since recruited a replacement in the form of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.

As well as Bernardo, the long-term future of Riyad Mahrez is believed to be uncertain amid interest from Saudi Arabia, while Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Kalvin Phillips and Cole Palmer have also been linked with possible summer exits from the Etihad.

Meanwhile, Man City are hopeful of finalising a deal to sign defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, with the German's club's sporting director Max Eberl recently confirming that both clubs are in talks over a proposed £86m transfer.