CM: Bernardo Silva confirms plan to leave Man City – Milan among teams interested

After Luka Modric, AC Milan are pondering an attempt to sign another quality midfielder on a free transfer: Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.

As Calciomercato.com report, Bernardo SIlva’s contract expires in a few months, and a bidding war could erupt over him among several clubs interested in signing him on a Bosman. Meanwhile, the Portuguese has spoken and confirmed what he intends to do.

Despite still being central to City’s project and style of play, Bernardo Silva is preparing to experience what will likely be his last season under Pep Guardiola, having won practically everything there is to win while in Manchester.

With the Citizens, he established himself as one of the best in the world. To stay at the Etihad, he rejected offers from PSG and Barcelona that came his way in recent years. This time, however, things could be different: with his deal expiring, new horizons are opening up for him.

Milan ready to pounce?

Bernardo Silva said: “I’ve always dreamed of winning titles, but I never imagined I’d win six Premier League titles in eight years. Football has given me more than I could have imagined, but it doesn’t end there: I have big ambitions and want to continue at the highest level.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

“We have a clear goal, and we’ll fight for it. Then we’ll see later, without making long-term plans. I’m focused on my final season at Manchester City. I want to finish on a high, try to win something more with the club that has given me so much, and then become a world champion with my national team, every Portuguese’s dream.”

At 31, Bernardo Silva is still in the prime of his career. Now in his ninth consecutive season with City, he is starting to think about a life outside England. Saudi Arabia has already been knocking on his door, but he wants to remain a key player in Europe.

In recent weeks, there have been contacts with Juventus and Milan, who have enquired about the situation of a player who is otherwise physically fit and coming off a string of high-level seasons. What complicates matters is the Portuguese’s salary, as he earns €10.1m net.

However, after Kevin De Bruyne made the move to Serie A – someone Bernardo Silva knows very well given their shared experiences at City – it is possible that Italy could prove tempting for the playmaker.