Manchester City’s chances of retaining the services of talented playmaker Bernardo Silva are dwindling, according to a recent report. Silva, who has been a key figure at the Etihad Stadium for the past six seasons, is now considering a new challenge elsewhere. The Portuguese star has communicated his desire to leave the club to Man City, despite having two years left on his contract.
While Barcelona initially showed interest in signing Silva, their financial difficulties have prevented them from pursuing a deal. Paris Saint-Germain has also been linked to the player, particularly as their soon-to-be-appointed manager, Luis Enrique, reportedly views Silva as a priority target for the upcoming season.
However, European clubs may struggle to compete with a lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Silva has been presented with a staggering deal to join a club in the Middle East, with wages reaching an astounding £800,000 per week. This would be a significant increase from his current salary of £150,000 per week at Manchester City.
The Premier League champions have attempted to retain Silva by offering him a new contract. However, there is a growing concern within the club that he will succumb to the temptation of the substantial Saudi offer. Manchester City anticipates that Silva will depart for the Middle East, considering the staggering financial package on the table.
Silva could potentially join the ranks of other Portuguese players who have opted for the riches of Saudi Arabian football, including Ruben Neves and Jota, who recently signed with Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, respectively. Notable figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and Marcelo Brozovic have also made similar moves during the summer transfer window.
Manchester City has already bid farewell to captain Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer. However, the club swiftly secured the services of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea to fill the void. The uncertainty surrounding Silva’s future extends to Riyad Mahrez as well, who is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs. Speculation has also linked Joao Cancelo, Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Kalvin Phillips, and Cole Palmer with potential summer departures from the Etihad.
In the midst of these developments, Manchester City remains optimistic about securing the signature of defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. Talks are ongoing between the two clubs for a proposed £86m transfer, and the Cityzens are hopeful of finalizing the deal.
As the transfer saga unfolds, Manchester City faces the challenge of preserving their talented squad while competing with the allure of the Middle East’s financial offerings. The outcome of Bernardo Silva’s future will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the team’s composition and prospects for the upcoming season.
