Stefan Borson: Bernardo Silva expected to now quit Man City
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has a decision to make over his future at the Etihad Stadium.
Football Insider revealed in December Man City are in “ongoing” talks with Silva about the possibility of him signing a new deal ahead of his contract expiring on 30 June.
However, it remains unclear whether the Portugal international is open to extending his nine-year stay at the Etihad, having arrived from Monaco for £43million in 2017.
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Silva after Man City’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final last week.
The Catalan boss admitted the 31-year-old “will be missed” if he decides to leave this summer but that he is hoping the midfielder “can stay for many centuries”.
Why Pep Guardiola is crucial to Bernardo Silva's Man City future
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Guardiola will try and keep hold of Silva if he decides to remain at the Etihad himself beyond this season.
Guardiola’s future at Man City has been questioned in recent months, with his side struggling to find consistency in their performances.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Silva’s future, Borson said: “I think there's two parts to it.
“One, if Pep is staying, then I think he'll probably have a crack at making him stay.
“I think it's unlikely because he seems to want to go. But then again, he has wanted to leave various times over the last five years.”
Silva has received interest from several clubs across Europe as he considers his options ahead of his contract expiring.
Why Silva is likely to quit Man City
Borson admitted Silva is likely to leave Man City despite recently showing he’s still capable of playing at the highest level.
“He was a masterclass against Newcastle, so Pep probably more than any other time recently will look at it and go, ‘I really want this guy to hang around because what he's doing is all about experience really rather than the physicality’,” said Borson.
“He shows himself to have good physicality for a guy of his age. He’s a different player from the one that he used to be, so I think he might give it another go.
“But I think on a balance of probabilities, he will leave in the summer.”
Silva has started in 23 of his 30 outings for Man City this season, where he’s registered one goal and three assists.
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