Confirmed: Bernardo Silva leaving Manchester City – here’s what could happen next
Bernardo Silva’s summer exit from Manchester City has been officially confirmed today, with the club releasing a statement on their official site.
We reported earlier this month that Silva had informed Man City of his decision to leave, with Juventus, Napoli, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid among the Portugal international’s suitors.
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This news has now been made official, though of course neither the club nor the player have yet made an announcement about where he could be moving to next.
Silva is undoubtedly a City legend and one of the best players in the Premier League from the last decade or so, with the 31-year-old winning six titles during his time in England, as well as the Champions League and other major honours.
Manchester City pay tribute to Bernardo Silva
City have paid tribute to Silva on their official site, with a club statement noting that his “contribution to our greatest sustained period of success is incalculable” and that “he will be deservedly remembered both as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time.”
City also added that they plan further tributes for the player nearer the end of the season.
They added: “The Club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a wonderful servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
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What next for Bernardo Silva and who could replace him?
It won’t be easy to replace a world class talent like Silva, but our understanding is that those plans are already underway.
City have been aware of Silva’s decision for some time now, with the player yet to decide on his next step despite top European clubs being sounded out while Saudi sides also take notice of his situation.
As recently reported, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes is someone MCFC are keeping an eye on, even if Liverpool are understood to be leading the race for the moment.
It is also our understanding that City are continuing to assess targets such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali in midfield.
The precise profile the club go for will depend on a number of other factors, however, with there still being no final resolution on the future of manager Pep Guardiola and another star player in the form of Rodri.
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