Manchester City could be subject to late and ambitious transfer interest from Saudi Arabia in one of their primary midfield options during the final month of the market.
While attention in recent weeks has focused on possible exits for the likes of Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Ilkay Gundogan, or Manuel Akanji, reports now emerging from the Gulf region suggest another senior name could unexpectedly come under pressure to leave.
Bernardo Silva – who has long been a target for both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain over the last few years – is now being linked with a switch to the Saudi Pro League. The Portugal international signed a contract extension with City in 2023 running until 2026, but crucially includes a release clause.
That clause, and Manchester City’s willingness to respect Bernardo Silva’s wishes in the past, leaves the door slightly ajar should a serious offer come in – especially from a club with the financial muscle to trigger it.
Silva has remained a central figure in Pep Guardiola’s plans despite changing roles and the tactical evolution of the side, with his versatility – playing centrally, out wide, and even in deeper positions – making him virtually undroppable when fit. And admiration for the work put into the club since 2017 heightened this summer when City confirmed the Portugal international as their new club captain following Kevin De Bruyne’s exit.
But with Rayan Cherki now added to the first-team squad, and the likes of Oscar Bobb and Phil Foden pushing for more involvement, Manchester City’s attacking midfield depth has quietly improved. Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola has always placed unique value on Silva’s intelligence, consistency, and professionalism, making any exit this summer a major upheaval.
However, according to the information of Al-Riyadiyah’s Sultan Al-Otaibi speaking to “Al-Arabiya” over the weekend on the latest transfer activity surrounding Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League side are currently ‘trying to sign’ Bernardo Silva.
The club’s attempts are likely to hinge on Bernardo Silva’s own willingness to make the move, with the player previously reluctant to leave European football for a new project. That stance has not changed in recent seasons, despite consistent interest from Saudi clubs since 2023.
Should Silva give any indication of openness to the offer, Al Nassr could move quickly to structure a financial package that matches the midfielder’s existing salary and satisfies Manchester City’s own demands, despite the player having only been recently elected as captain. As things stand, City are highly unlikely to entertain any sale of Silva and would only engage if the player himself initiates talks.
With the Premier League season due to kick off in under a fortnight and Pep Guardiola preparing for another title charge, losing Silva now would disrupt carefully laid plans. There is no direct pressure from City’s side to part ways with the player, especially after fending off interest in previous windows and rewarding him with a new deal as part of that process.
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