Bernardo Silva has revealed when he might like to leave Manchester City, but admitted it ‘depends’ what happens next summer.
Silva has been an important player for City since joining from Monaco in 2017. Indeed, 106 goal contributions is a great tally in a side where there is no guarantee of a starting spot.
Pep Guardiola has the luxury of a host of world-class talents to pick from. That Silva often finds himself on the team sheet highlights the quality he possesses.
The midfielder might not have been putting in top performances for City at one point, though.
Indeed, it was reported that he was unhappy at the Etihad a few years ago. As such, he would have been allowed to leave in 2021, as agreed by Guardiola.
Interest from Barcelona could have seen the Portuguese make a simple move to La Liga. However, nothing came of the agreement at City, or the interest and he stayed put.
He has been one of the most utilised players by Guardiola since that time. Indeed, Silva missed just three Premier League games last season, as the Citizens lifted the title for the fourth time in five seasons.
While he is still on Barcelona’s radar, it would be a surprise if he was to move on. He has missed just one game in all competitions for City this season, so should be happy with his role.
Silva focussed on City
Amid interest from Barca, there have been talks over a new contract for Silva. The Portuguese’s current deal runs out at the end of 2025, but he could renew.
Silva has revealed his focus is on City, as he has a big goal that he wants to achieve while with the club.
“I’m very focused on this season and it doesn’t make sense to talk about leaving because we’re in the middle of the season,” he told Record.
“I’ve been at Manchester City for almost six years, I have a lot of respect for the club, news keeps coming out and people know that there have been talks between me and the club and, at the end of the season, we’ll talk again to see what’s best for the two sides.
“I’m focused on winning more titles for City. We want to win the league again, we have a competition that we have never won and that is a great objective, which is the Champions League, so we want to try again.”
Silva knows his ideal next club
While his heart is with City at the moment, Silva has admitted a return to Benfica, where he started his career, is on his radar, but he wants to do so while he can still perform well.
“I want to go back to Benfica to help and I have to feel ready,” he added.
“Players, mainly in my position, with my characteristics, play at the highest level at least until the age of 36.
“We see players like Xavi, like Iniesta, who played very late. There are many examples in these positions, with these characteristics, that manage to hold out for a long time.
“Now I don’t know how long I’ll be fine. I’m 28 years old, I’ll be 29 in the summer, and I have two more years on my Manchester City contract.”
As such, the end of his City contract could signal the end of his City career.
Potential exit terms revealed
Previously, he admits he would have liked to have return to Benfica within the next few years, so that might well be the route he takes, depending on what happens with his contract.
“My contract would end at 31. I won’t hide that my goal in recent years, if something good happens elsewhere, will probably be to move to a new project,” he said.
“If you ask me: what did you think 10 years ago? My goal was to return to Benfica at the age of 32 at the most. What do I think today? It depends on what happens next summer.”
Source: teamtalk.com
