Bernardo Silva addresses Man City future amid Pep Guardiola claim – 'After so many years'

Portugal star Bernardo Silva is in the final year of his contract at Manchester City, and as it stands, he will be leaving the club at the end of the season

Bernardo Silva admitted his future is uncertain, with his Manchester City contract expiring next summer. The Portugal star will be free to negotiate with other clubs from January if no new deal is agreed at the Etihad.

In his ninth season at the club, Silva has repeatedly been linked with moves away after signalling a desire for a new challenge. His boyhood club Benfica are among those considering a reunion, with a possible return to Lisbon next season.

The noise around his future has intensified in recent weeks but the midfielder told Portuguese channel DAZN that no decision has yet been made.

"It's my last year of contract. It is still to be seen what will happen," said Silva.

"But, regardless [of what happens], it's always an honour.

"And after so many years, of course also being one of the oldest [in the squad], the time has come for me to share all this experience and all this information to help the youngsters.

"As I said, I want to be as prepared as soon as possible to be able to fight for important things, which is what is demanded in this club."

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has said he has not spoken with the Portuguese about his future. "I want the best for Bernardo," said the Catalan boss.

"If he wants to stay, I will be more than delighted but I don't talk about that subject with him and all I want is the best for his family.

"He has been here for nine years already and he will decide with the club what is the best."

Guardiola has described Silva as one of the most intelligent players he has ever worked with "The tempo, winning the ball, accelerate, decelerate, the intuition [to know] where the space is, how to manage the situations and so many things, he is one of the most clever players I have ever met," he said.

"Bernardo struggled last season, but he was there. Every. Single. Game. Exhausted. After 50 or 60 minutes [of matches last season], he could not run one more minute.

"At certain moments, he said, 'Pep, I'm drained. My mind is not [there] any more, the feet.' But he was there.

"And I said many times to my players, and to him, that will not be forgotten. That is why he is my captain. Because in the bad moments, he was there."

Silva was made captain by Guardiola for this season.

After being rested for the shock Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this week, he could come back in for the Premier League game against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon (3pm).