Man City star reveals summer exit plans amid interest from Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Napoli
Man City are set to lose one of their star midfielders in the summer transfer window, with his contract due to expire.
Man City will come out of the international break in April hoping to build off the momentum of winning the Carabao Cup against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola will rely on his best players to try to close the nine-point gap to the Gunners in the Premier League title race.
Guardiola will need his leaders to step up and perform during the run-in, including his captain, Bernardo Silva, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
The Portuguese international has been at the Etihad for nine seasons, winning six Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cup trophies. Silva could be a big loss should he leave in the summer transfer window.
Bernardo Silva to leave Man City in the summer
We recently saw the football world shaken up when Mo Salah informed Liverpool that he would leave in the summer. From a Liverpool legend to a Man City legend, as Silva is reportedly set to leave Man City in the summer, when his contract will expire.
The 31-year-old has, according to Caught Offside, formally informed Manchester City that he will leave in the summer, and he won’t extend his deal with the club. It is understood that there is significant interest in Silva, who is still very much a top player, despite being 31.
It’s claimed that several top European clubs are interested in signing Silva on a free transfer, including a lot of interest in La Liga. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both understood to be interested in Silva, with the likes of Napoli and MLS side LAFC also keen on the midfielder.
This season, the Man City captain has remained a vital part of Guardiola’s side, making 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals, and five assists for City.
Who could Man City replace Silva with?
It is understood that Man City are very keen to bring in more midfield talent in the summer transfer window, to help replace an ageing core of the side, including Silva, but also Rodri.
The Cityzens have been linked to signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has been exceptional both for Forest and England over the past year. Man City are understood to be battling against rivals Man United to sign the 22-year-old, but City are the current frontrunners to sign him.
Reports have said that Anderson is going to cost up to £100m, assuming that Forest stay in the Premier League. That price could only rise if he performs well at the World Cup for England too, so Man City could do with agreeing a deal for the midfielder before the World Cup starts in June.