“I know exactly what I will do in 2026, but now is not the right time to talk about it.” These few words to the BBC in England from Bernardo Silva sparked rumors and transfer talk around the Manchester City playmaker, who has become not only a key player but almost a symbol of the club.
The former Monaco man, 31, is entering his ninth consecutive season with the Citizens, but his contract, which expires on June 30, 2026, for the first time under Guardiola, might not be renewed. This would allow him to leave on a free transfer, making him immediately one of the most important names on the market.
Like Kevin De Bruyne?
Manchester City has been working on a squad rejuvenation for some time, and with changes in Guardiola’s tactical approach, the club is bringing in players who are more vertical and less possession-oriented than before.
The departure of a club icon is not impossible. A similar situation happened last season with Kevin De Bruyne, who left Manchester for Napoli on a free transfer.
Bernardo Silva's decision...
Silva had previously refused the idea of leaving the team or the city, but now things seem to have changed. According to Fabrizio Romano recently, the decision will be his, and with a massive offer from Saudi Arabia and a chance to play a leading role in Europe, possibly in Italy, he is not guaranteed to choose the first option.
What about his agent, Jorge Mendes?
In the past, Silva received major offers from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, but at 31, these are unlikely to return under the same terms. His agent, top Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes, is actively exploring the market to see what options might open from January onward for the 1994-born star.
Are there contacts with Milan and Juventus?
In this context, agent Jorge Mendes has had contacts in recent weeks with top Italian clubs, including Juventus, where Damien Comolli knows Bernardo Silva well, and Milan, where he already collaborated last winter to bring Joao Felix (without on-field success). There are no official negotiations, only exploratory talks to see if his profile could be of interest, as pointed out by Calcio Mercato.
How much does Bernardo Silva currently earn at Manchester City?
No one doubts Silva’s quality or his physical reliability compared to someone like De Bruyne. The main obstacle for clubs will be his salary. At Manchester City, he earns 10.1 million euros net (18.3 million euros gross). These figures are currently beyond reach for Italian clubs, meaning he would need to make a major financial compromise.
