Benfica Favourites to Land Bernardo Silva Amid Global Transfer Interest

Benfica remain favourites to sign Portuguese maestro Bernardo Silva despite a raft of interest from clubs in Europe, America and the Middle East, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

As SportsBoom predicted in early March, Silva’s nine-year stay at Manchester City has now been confirmed.

Our sources understand it is unlikely the next port of call in the midfielder’s illustrious career will be announced before the end of the season.

Sky Blues’ skipper Silva will end his time at the Etihad Stadium as a free agent this summer with potentially another Premier League title and FA Cup triumph to add to his current tally of 19 major prizes.

He recently jumped into the top 10 of City’s all-time appearance makers, overtaking the likes of Willie Donachie, David Silva and Paul Power.

But he will bow out still at the top of his trade which is why the 31-year-old is likely to defer any decision to move to the Major Soccer League in America.

Chicago Fire and Inter Miami have already sounded out moves for Silva who joined City from AS Monaco in 2017 for £43million.

City Losing Proven Winner

But boyhood club Benfica hope the lure of an emotional home coming will be enough to ward off interest from La Liga champions elect, Barcelona, and Serie A side, Juventus.

Saudi clubs too wanted to take him to the Middle East but players are now thinking twice of moving to the area because of the current conflict between the United States and Iran.

Silva, who has netted 76 goals in 452 appearances for City, was born in Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

He emerged through Benfica’s youth system before being upgraded to the B team set-up. 

In 2014, Silva was part of Benfica’s senior squad where former Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim, was a team mate.

Due to limited game time he initially moved to Monaco on loan before the switch was made permanently. He won La Ligue and reached the Champions League semi-finals before City came calling.