Exclusive: Man City respond to Real Madrid interest in Bernardo Silva
Real Madrid have no chance of signing Bernardo Silva this summer after he was made Manchester City’s captain by Pep Guardiola, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about Man City‘s stance on Silva’s future this summer.
Silva had been tipped to be one of several big names on Guardiola’s departure list after just 11 goals and assists combined in City’s trophyless season, the lowest tally he’s managed since arriving at the Etihad.
However, Guardiola has thrown his support behind Silva by making him City’s new captain after Kevin De Bruyne departed this summer, and sources have told Football Insider that Silva will be staying put.
Football Insider sources have said that Madrid therefore have “absolutely no chance” of signing Silva due to his importance in City’s dressing room, particularly after the exits of De Bruyne and Kyle Walker.
Mateo Kovacic is another experienced central midfielder who Guardiola could allow to leave Man City this summer, and this would lead to Silva‘s leadership role becoming even more important next season.
Guardiola to reject Silva sale amid Real Madrid interest
Football Insider revealed on 11 July that Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Kalvin Phillips will headline a long list of Man City players who will be allowed to leave this summer, but Silva will not be one of them.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke was asked about reports of Madrid‘s interest in Silva this summer, but didn’t expect Guardiola to entertain any offers for his newly-appointed Man City captain.
“There’s no chance [Silva] will go this summer, absolutely no chance”, he told Football Insider.
“He’s just been made one of the captains at City, so I don’t think Pep Guardiola would even consider letting him go. He’s an important figure in the dressing room and Man City are a better team with Silva.
“Pep’s already seen a few of the older, experienced players leave in De Bruyne, Kyle Walker; there’s been talk that Kovacic could possibly go as well, so he’ll be looking to keep hold of other experienced players.
“City won’t be considering selling him in this window.”
Man City ready to sanction sales as Silva stance made clear
Although Silva’s form did appear to be on a downturn last season, players like Phillips are much further down the midfield pecking order and certainly won’t be of interest to Real Madrid this summer.
Guardiola has already added Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders to his midfeld stocks in a £115million spending spree prior to the Club World Cup, but continuity will still be needed during Man City’s rebuild.
Phillips, Grealish and McAtee may be on their way out, but Silva’s leadership in a new-look dressing room could prove crucial as Guardiola looks to bounce back from a first season without silverware since 2017.