“He’ll be well received” – Former Manchester City star makes Bernardo Silva transfer prediction

Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi has hinted at a potential future transfer for Bernardo Silva.

The 35-year-old moved to Benfica in 2020 as part of Ruben Dias’ move to Manchester City, with Argentine centre-back having made 210 appearances over a five-year spell at the Etihad Stadium between 2015 and 2020.

Manchester City signed Otamendi for £28.5 million, with the centre-back winning nine trophies, including two Premier League titles, during his time at the club.

Otamendi made 161 appearances under the management of Guardiola, and also played alongside current Manchester City star Bernardo Silva on 103 occasions.

Silva has been linked with a potential future return to his boyhood club Benfica, with the 29-year-old having left the Liga Portugal side in 2014 after making just three first-team appearances.

The Portugal international moved to AS Monaco from Benfica, before completing a €50 million move to Manchester City in 2017, where the versatile midfielder has gone on to make 330 appearances, and win 15 trophies.

Benfica’s club President recently suggested that Silva could make a future return to Benfica, something echoed by current defender Otamendi in a recent interview, relayed by Sport Witness.

“Any player who is a fan of the club, and who is as big as Bernardo, it’s always good to share the pitch with him,” said the 35-year-old.

“They’re players who play very good football and who love a club that has given them so much in terms of sport. If he comes back one day, let him come because he’ll be well received.

“I’ve seen. Bernardo shared a dressing room with me at Manchester City. He’s a great person, as well as a great player.

“It’s clear to see that he’s a footballer of another dimension. I had the chance to be in the same team as him. He’s a very simple person, very quiet and a lot of fun.”

Silva signed a new one-year contract extension with Manchester City in September, amid continued links to both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.