Despite long-standing interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Bernardo Silva is set to sign a new contract with Manchester City.
Fabrizio Romano’s report on Monday confirmed that City bosses are confident Silva will approve their new proposal, which has been sent to the player and his agent Jorge Mendes.
Bernardo Silva Set to Sign New Manchester City Contract
Manchester City Tell Clubs Bernardo Silva is Not for Sale
City have made it clear to Barcelona and PSG that they have “no intention” to sell the player this summer. Pep Guardiola claimed in a press conference last week that the club “will do everything” they can to keep Silva and his teammate Kyle Walker, who has been targeted by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Why Silva is Likely to Renew His Deal
Paul Hirst of The Times has reported that the new contract offered to Silva would include a pay rise due to his increased importance to the side since his last contract renewal in 2019. Hirst also claimed that Silva is seriously considering agreeing to the deal and is more likely to stay in Manchester than leave.
Barcelona and PSG were the midfielder’s main suitors this summer, however, they are both extremely unlikely to be able to afford a transfer for Silva, even if City were interested in selling him. The La Liga side reported a debt figure of £1.1 billion in June, which does not include the £1.2 billion borrowed to fund renovations to the Camp Nou. The club are also subject to their league’s salary cap rules and boast a significant wage bill.
Read More: ‘We Will Do Everything’: Manchester City Offer New Contract in Bid to Keep ‘Fantastic’ Star Player
Meanwhile, the Parisian club circling the City star may be prevented from further significant business by Financial Fair Play regulations. Romano’s report on their purchase of Goncalo Ramos noted that the transfer is a loan with an obligation to purchase in 2024, which has been structured to avoid causing FFP issues for PSG.
With these considerations in mind, it seems unlikely that clubs targeting the winger could complete a deal for him in the near future. Furthermore, a free transfer is not a possibility any time soon, with two years remaining on Silva’s contract.
For more, Last Word on Football now understands from a source with strong contacts within the club that Silva is thought to be set to renew with the treble winners.
Contract Renewal Doesn’t Stop Silva Finding a Future Move
The star man seems likely to take a new deal and pay rise, but that doesn’t stop him from leaving in the future. He will feel safe in the knowledge that City’s transfer policy is to sell players who ask to leave if another club tables a suitable offer for them. This was best demonstrated by the club’s willingness to sell Raheem Sterling in the midst of his prime years to Chelsea last summer.
If Silva becomes desperate to leave the club, adding a few more years to his contract is unlikely to be a significant barrier.
Pep Guardiola: ‘He is One of the Best Players I Have Trained in My Life’
The Portuguese winger was crucial to City’s treble run. Following their 3-0 demolition of Bayern Munich at the Etihad in the Quarter-finals of the Champions League, Guardiola described Silva as a “special” player and “one of the best players I have trained in my life”.
Throughout the season, the Guardiola favourite registered minutes at right wing, in central-midfield and even at left-back. He has demonstrated an unrivalled ability to adapt to new challenges and to press opposition players with extreme efficacy.
His close ball control and passing ability have made him a nightmare for defenders, which was highlighted by his dizzying runs against Bayern and Real Madrid last term.
Watch: Pep Guardiola will defend Manchester City’s Treble – Here’s How
Silva to Stay Despite a Desire to be Closer to Family
Silva has previously explored a move away from the north of England, reportedly because of a desire to be closer to his family in Portugal, which is why Barcelona originally appeared to be an ideal destination for the midfielder.
Since signing from Monaco for £43 million in 2017, he has become a star for the club and at 28 years old, Silva is indispensable to Guardiola’s side.
Fans will rejoice at the news that he is set to extend his stay in Manchester after exploring opportunities to move away from the Premier League side.
Main Image Credit: Jonathan Palombo, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}