Pep Lijnders confirms Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City this summer
Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders has confirmed that Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer.
Silva’s contract at the Etihad Stadium will expire at the end of the campaign, and the club will not renew his deal.
Lijnders was on media duty after City’s FA Cup quarter-final victory against Liverpool with manager Pep Guardiola serving a touchline ban.
The Dutch football expert praised Silva as a ‘unique player’ but strongly hinted the midfielder will leave the club.
He said (as per BBC Sport): “Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell.
“He deserves all that attention as well.”
Silva came to City from Monaco in 2017 for a fee worth £61 million.
Since his arrival, he has made 450 appearances across all competitions, scoring 76 goals and creating 77 assists.
The Portuguese has helped his club win six Premier League titles and a Champions League.
He will now end his nine-year spell at the club this summer.
Despite his age, Silva has still much to offer at the top level of football. He has made 43 appearances across all competitions this season, with 30 coming in the Premier League.
The 31-year-old is highly rated for his versatility, technical ability and relentless work-rate.
Silva could join La Liga leaders Barcelona and Serie A side Juventus, who are both interested in signing him.
A return to Benfica, where he first started his football career, could also be appealing for the Portugal international. Although he would have to take a significant pay cut to move back to his home country.
Playing in Saudi Arabia is another option, where he can hope to earn a huge salary.
Stats from Transfermarkt