City Star Has “Contract Waiting” at New Club

Manchester Metropolis’s summer season of transition was at all times going to be dramatic. After what was thought-about a disappointing 2024/25 season — by their very own lofty requirements — Pep Guardiola set about refreshing his squad.

The arrivals of Rayan Cherki, Tijani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and goalkeeping duo James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma injected much-needed youth and recent power into the Etihad. However with change got here farewells.

Metropolis waved goodbye to a few of their biggest ever names. Kevin De Bruyne headed for Napoli, Ederson left for Fenerbahçe, and Ilkay Gündogan departed for a second time, this time becoming a member of Galatasaray.

Now, one other iconic determine might quickly observe them out of the door — captain Bernardo Silva.

Benfica Have “Contract Ready” for Silva

In line with Portuguese outlet A Bola, Metropolis skipper Bernardo Silva has unexpectedly been pulled into the center of Benfica’s presidential election race, with one of many candidates making a daring promise: bringing Silva dwelling.

João Noronha Lopes, a frontrunner to turn into Benfica’s president within the October 25 elections, instructed A Bola: “I can verify {that a} contract is ready for Bernardo Silva. And I actually need to deliver Bernardo in in January. He embodies the whole lot I need for Benfica — id, a profitable tradition, and he’s an enormous Benfica fan. And I can guarantee you that we gained’t cease right here.”

Silva, now 31 and within the ultimate 12 months of his Manchester Metropolis contract, got here by way of Benfica’s academy earlier than leaving for Monaco in 2015. Two years later, he was dropped at the Premier League by Guardiola, who as soon as hailed him as “unbelievable.”

Whereas Lopes is utilizing Silva’s identify as a part of his marketing campaign, present Benfica boss Bruno Lage couldn’t assist however weigh in.

Talking at a press convention, Lage stated: “From what I learn about Bernardo and his motivation is that quickly — I don’t know when, however quickly — he can be a Benfica participant whatever the president.”

Silva has made 269 league appearances for Manchester Metropolis, scoring 43 objectives and aiding numerous extra throughout a glittering profession that features 5 Premier League titles and a Champions League medal. He has additionally earned over 100 caps for Portugal.

However whereas Silva’s high quality is unquestionable, his affect has waned barely in latest seasons amid Metropolis’s rebuild. Together with his contract expiring in 2026 and no renewal agreed, Metropolis could possibly be tempted to money on this January relatively than lose their captain for nothing.

For Benfica followers, the potential for their prodigal son returning — particularly in such dramatic, politically-charged circumstances — is a tantalising prospect. For Guardiola and Metropolis, it might mark the tip of one other wonderful period on the Etihad.