According to a report from Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness), Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva is on the radar of defending LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid.
The Portuguese international, 26, has been a key performer under Pep Guardiola, helping Manchester City win three Premier League titles. After arriving at the Etihad Stadium from AS Monaco in the summer of 2017, he has racked up 201 appearances for the Sky Blues, he has bagged 35 goals and 44 assists in the process.
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Last season wasn’t the greatest of Premier League campaigns for Bernardo Silva, though; as he only started 24 Premier League games.
Despite registering five goals and nine assists in 45 outings across all competitions, the creative midfielder couldn’t maintain his form throughout the season after being asked to operate in different positions across the midfield and attack.
And now with City having wrapped up the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in a transfer-record £100 million fee, subject to an official announcement, Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness) claim Silva wants to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are touted as potential destinations but the latter cannot afford the player in the current climate because of their dire financial condition.
Atletico Madrid, champions of Spain, would be willing to make a bid, with manager Diego Simeone an admirer of the twinkle-toed Portuguese, reports Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness). Silva is ‘very attracted’ to Spanish football and has always wanted to represent Barcelona, but due to their financial instability, he is ‘attracted’ to joining Atletico Madrid.
However, one sticking point in Atletico’s pursuit of Silva will be the fee that the Cityzens demand, with the English champions likely to recover the £45m they paid in acquiring the player’s services from Monaco four summers ago, the report adds.
Bernardo Silva has been a fantastic player for City and has given his everything to the club. So, it’ll be great if Manchester City grants his wish to leave the club, particularly with Jack Grealish’s arrival imminent from Aston Villa.