Sources: Bernardo Silva pushing for Man City transfer as talks open
Manchester City could be set to lose Bernardo Silva for free as his agent opens talks with other clubs, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Silva’s long-term future at the Etihad Stadium.
Silva was one of several players tipped to leave Man City at the end of last season, and as a client of ‘super-agent’ Jorge Mendes, the 30-year-old would have no shortage of suitors were this to happen.
Football Insider revealed on Friday that reported interest from Real Madrid has been rebuffed by Man City, after Pep Guardiola made Silva central to next season’s plans by appointing him as their captain.
Silva will therefore lead Guardiola‘s side out onto the pitch next season as he enters the final year of his City contract, but Football Insider sources have said that Mendes is already talking to interested clubs.
Sources have told Football Insider that as Silva is yet to be offered new terms by City with his current deal set to expire in June 2026, Mendes is exploring options for the Portuguese as a potential free agent.
Jorge Mendes ready to seal Silva’s Man City exit
Football Insider reported in March that Silva could have been one of three players sold to fund a move for Tijjani Reijnders this summer, but he has stayed put so far with Reijnders already through the doors.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that Mendes is simply doing his job as Silva’s agent by discussing possible moves to other clubs in 2026, as uncertainty lingers over his long-term future at City.
“Manchester City won’t be considering selling [Silva] in this transfer window”, he told Football Insider.
“His agent [Jorge Mendes] might already be talking to other clubs because of his contract situation.
“He’s going into the final year at Man City, and if there’s no sign of a new deal at the Etihad, his agent is doing his job to try and see what else is out there for him – possibly as a free agent next summer.”
Man City must begin squad cull amid Silva uncertainty
Although Guardiola has established that Silva is key to his plans by making the Portugal star Man City‘s captain, the same can’t be said for a host of other big names vying for similar positions in the starting XI.
The Man City boss has publicly declared that he wants to cut City’s squad down to size, with youngsters like Issa Kabore, Callum Doyle and Luke Mbete all being seen as expendable by Guardiola this summer.
Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Kalvin Phillips are expected to headline a plethora of first-team exits, but Silva won’t be on that list for the time being as a new-look Man City squad prepares for next season.