‘Man City prepared to lose Bernardo Silva’ amid ‘huge’ claim
Man City are preparing to lose Bernardo Silva when his contract expires at the end of the season as part of Pep Guardiola’s ongoing squad overhaul.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Silva is lined up for a move away from the Premier League this summer.
Guardiola‘s side have spent 363.9million since last January’s transfer window, with 12 new players brought in while eight permanent departures have been sanctioned.
The boss has seen a major overhaul of his squad so far, but there is a growing belief he is not done yet, and is now willing to see Silva move on.
Football Insider revealed in July that Silva could look to leave Man City when his contract expires, with clubs in Spain, Portugal and Saudi Arabia interested.
Pep Guardiola plans to let Bernardo Silva leave Man City
Brown told Football Insider in September that Guardiola is willing to let Silva leave in favour of landing a replacement as part of major changes to his starting XI.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that a return to Portugal or move to Spain are still on the cards.
“It looks like Bernardo Silva will be allowed to leave City,” he told Football Insider.
“There’s been some talk that he could move to a Spanish or Portuguese club, back closer to home and to where the style of play is a bit less intense.
“Playing in the Premier League is hugely demanding, he’s done that for years, and at this stage he might feel it’s time to go and slow down elsewhere, but still at a high level.
“I think it’s something Guardiola will be open to as well, because he’s making changes to his squad and looking to keep things fresh.
“There are a few changes still happening there as part of these plans to overhaul the squad, it’s something that they’ve been working on since last year.
“A lot of the experienced players are moving on and being replaced by new, younger options, and I think Silva now could be the next one out.”
Silva’s potential destination revealed ahead of Man City exit
Brown told Football Insider in June that Silva could be part of the Man City exodus and had been considered among the big names they were willing to let go.
While he failed to secure a move away during the summer, there is a growing feeling he will see out the season with City before moving on when his contract expires.
Ex-Benfica boss Bruno Lage confessed Silva would “be a Benfica player soon“ and revealed “there is a contract waiting for him” at the side now managed by Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese giants are keen to being the midfielder back to his home country, where he has long been linked with a return having come through their academy.
Silva was named as Man City’s new captain following the departure of Kyle Walker, but could now follow in his former skipper’s footsteps by leaving in the summer.
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