Manchester City star subject to Saudi Arabia £40 million per year salary offer while stalling on Etihad decision

Saudi Arabia and their growing Pro League project is proposing a staggering £40 million per year salary offer to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, as per reports.

The Portugal international is continuing to stall on ironing out his Manchester City future, having sought out an exit from the Etihad Stadium for the past couple of seasons after becoming unhappy with the lifestyle on offer in the north-west of England.

Last summer, both FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain failed to come to an agreement with the Premier League champions over a transfer fee, with Bernardo Silva valued by the club at around £80 million due to his contractual situation.

While the aforementioned duo of clubs are expected to remain interested in Bernardo Silva this summer, a new opportunity has emerged that could take the Champions League winner away from European football entirely.

According to the information of Ben Jacobs, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal would be prepared to pay Bernardo Silva a basic wage of around £40 million per year, with other bonuses and earning opportunities on top.

The Manchester City midfielder is arguably Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious transfer target to date, having previously secured deals for players in the twilight years of their careers, including the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and N’Golo Kante.

Portuguese media have also offered insight into the latest concerning Bernardo Silva, with Record stating that the 28-year-old continues to prioritise the sporting aspect of his next move, and as such, remaining in Europe.

It is claimed that together with his entourage, Bernardo Silva will analyse the pros and cons of moving to the Middle-East, and will spend ‘a good part’ of his holiday period reflecting on the next step, with a final answer possibly not to be given for another ‘few weeks’.

Manchester City are understood to be in the market for a new midfielder this summer, but are currently prioritising the futures of their existing players, and as such will not move for potential targets in the position under respective careers are ironed out.

Celta Vigo and Spain youth international Gabri Veiga is understood to be a player of interest for the Premier League champions, while his €40 million release clause has created additional interest among other clubs in Europe, including Chelsea and Manchester United.

James Maddison and Declan Rice were also of significant interest to Etihad Stadium transfer bosses, however they have completed and are on the verge of completing deals with Tottenham and Arsenal respectively.