“He doesn’t want to come” – Club President rules out €100 million move for Manchester City star

Portuguese giants Benfica have ruled out a move for Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, despite recent comments by the player.

Silva has been continually 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 midfielder 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 over 330 appearances, and win 15 trophies.

The Portugal international has become an integral member of Pep Guardiola’s squad at the Etihad Stadium, having been voted onto the senior leadership team for the current campaign, and having netted twice against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season.

Silva signed a new contract extension with Manchester City in September, cooling transfer interest from both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, however a rumoured release clause has been inserted into the deal.

The 29-year-old made 55 appearances for City last season, and has featured in 25 games for the Blues during the 2023/24 campaign; scoring seven goals already this season, including against Newcastle last weekend.

Silva could be subject to transfer interest again next summer, with the midfielder having previously revealed a desire to return to Benfica during his playing career.

Former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi recently hinted at the possibility of the transfer, however Benfica President Rui Costa has ruled out a move for Silva.

“Benfica is not in a position to go to Manchester City, to give a very obvious case, and pay €100m for a player,” Sport Witness relay from an interview with O Jogo.

“Even today there’s talk of so many players that our members and fans are so keen to see come back to wear our shirt, the players themselves have shown this, and they’re often hit with: ‘Oh, he says he’s coming but he doesn’t want to come. If he wanted to come, he’d lower his salary’.

“People have to realise that in most situations this doesn’t even reach the player, because there can be no agreements between clubs.

“Benfica is not in a position to go to Manchester City, to give a very obvious case, and pay €100m for a player.”