Man City set to make ‘£90m’ saving after source’s Bernardo Silva offer update – pundit

Noel Whelan has claimed a bumper new contract for Bernardo Silva will save Man City “£80-90million” on a potential replacement in the transfer market.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the midfielder is “one of the best players in the world”.

Football Insider revealed on Saturday (29 October) that Man City are set to offer Silva, 28, a “huge” new contract with his current deal set to expire in June 2025.

The midfielder has been linked with a move to Barcelona but it is understood that City have no intention of letting him depart the Etihad Stadium.

74-cap Portugal star Silva, who joined City in 2017 for a reported fee of almost £44million, has notched two goals and five assists this season.

Whelan suggested the relationship between Silva and summer signing Erling Haaland will continue to blossom in the coming seasons.

He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s a smart move because they won’t find a better player in the world to play his role.

“This will save them the £80-90million it would take to go out there and replace him.

“He deserves a contract. He plays the perfect style for Man City and Pep Guardiola.

Man City

“Haaland is just going to benefit more and more from Silva being alongside him, with his cleverness and his intelligent play.

“For me, it’s a no-brainer. He’s one of the best players in the world, and that’s exactly why City want to keep him.”

In other news, Football Insider updates as Man City set sights on beating Liverpool to wonderkid as deal agreed.