Bernardo Silva selects European giant as next club after leaving Manchester City

Bernardo Silva has left Man City as a free agent amid desire to return close to home in Portugal
Former Man City captain won 20 trophies under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium
Six-time Premier League champion has chosen his new club ahead of the 2026-27 season

Manchester City legend Bernardo Silva is leaning towards a move to the Spanish top-flight this summer, according to new reports.

The 31-year-old was given an emotional send-off on his final game in sky blue on a day when City also bid farewell to John Stones and Pep Guardiola.

Silva was an astounding success at the Etihad Stadium since joining from AS Monaco in 2017 for £43 million, making a very strong case for Guardiola’s best signing throughout the Catalan’s career in management.

The recently departed Manchester City captain came close to leaving a few times over the years but as Guardiola famously promised in 2019, Silva stayed with the 55-year-old manager for the entirety of his decade-long, trophy-laden spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Report: Bernardo wants Barcelona move

According to Times Sport’s Ian Whittell, Silva wants to join Barcelona on a free transfer when his Manchester City contract expires at the end of June, with an expected salary of £80,000-per-week.

It is suggested that the clear preference of the Portugal international comes despite offers from fellow Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, boyhood club Benfica and even teams in the United States.

Barcelona from Manchester City is a path frequently trodden over the years, with the likes of Ferran Torres, Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan moving to Catalunya from north-west England over the years.

Silva has attracted interest from Barcelona in the past but the Spanish giants have never had the financial acumen to seriously test Manchester City’s resolve of holding onto their FA Cup and Carabao Cup double-winning skipper.

How do Man City plan to replace Bernardo Silva?

City sporting director Hugo Viana and co are prioritising a move for Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson ahead of the summer transfer window.

Elliot Anderson: Manchester City’s Rodri or Bernardo Silva replacement?

The Blues are expected to make at least one signing in the middle of the park, with outgoings expected to dictate the course of transfer activity in midfield as the window progresses.

The emergence of Nico O’Reilly, who was voted Manchester City’s 2025-26 Player of the Season as well as the Premier League Young Player of the Season, will help soothe the monumental blow of losing a player of Silva’s calibre.

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