Bernardo Silva reveals where he wants to play after Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has made an admission about where his future lies after years of rumours have suggested he wants to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Every summer transfer since 2020 has seen a handful of stories emerge regarding Bernardo Silva’s future at Manchester City. The Portugal international has long been said to desire a move ‘closer to home’.

But for a number of reasons, any proposed moves to clubs like Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and PSG have fallen through, forcing Silva to remain under the care of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

However, the 29-year-old recently signed a new contract with City, though some reports suggest the new deal will allow Silva to dictate his long-term future more freely as he ponders his next move.

Speaking in a recent interview with CNN Portugal, Silva was quick to remind us all that his dream is to end his career at boyhood club Benfica. Silva even revealed some regret over how he left the Portuguese outfit in the first place.

“That’s where my sadness comes in a little,” Bernardo Silva said. “Because I thought the club could have held me in another way. I want (to return to Benfica). If at the time the club wants me, obviously things will happen.”

A potential return to Portuguese giants and boyhood club Benfica has long been on cards for the Bernardo Silva, but reports tended to suggest that he would look for a move to one of the La Liga giants for the time being.

Nonetheless, Bernardo Silva has remained in Manchester amid the rumours, and has remained a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s machine, contributing significantly to last season’s historic Treble victory in particular.

In the same interview, Bernardo Silva revealed his pride in getting praise from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola when the Catalan coach commented on the Portugal international’s importance to his ongoing set-up.

“Hearing Guardiola say the things he says is a source of pride and I can say that, even outside of football, I have a very special relationship with him.”

That relationship may have been tested in recent years as Bernardo Silva appeared to angle for a move out of England. But as long as the midfielder remains in the blue Manchester City shirt, he will remain a crucial figure on the pitch.