August 18, (THEWILL) – Bernardo Silva is close to signing a lucrative new long-term contract with Manchester City.
The creative midfielder had been pushing for a transfer away from the Etihad Stadium this summer, with Barcelona his preferred destination, but it now appears he will remain at the Etihad. Silva has been unsettled for over two years, initially hinting at a desire to leave during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain held a firm interest in the Portugal international, who has been one of City’s standout performers since arriving from Monaco in 2017.
However, City have resisted all attempts from Silva to force a move. With Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan having already left the club this summer, manager Pep Guardiola and the City hierarchy have been adamant they cannot afford to lose another key midfielder.
The blue half of Manchester have made it clear to Silva that they will not sanction a transfer this summer. Instead, they have offered an improved contract that will make the 28-year-old one of the highest-paid players at the club, alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland.
With City confident a new deal for Silva will now be signed before August is over, Barcelona have finally accepted defeat in their pursuit. The Spanish giants have instead switched focus to signing Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid as their alternative attacking midfield target.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
