At the age of 28, Manchester City legend Bernardo Silva is reportedly on the verge of forgoing a season in which his team won the Triple Crown for a career in Saudi Arabia.
After Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante joined the Saudi Pro League, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s example, the Portugal international has been linked with a move to the Middle East.
Despite still having two years left on his contract at the Etihad, Silva, who may be looking for a new challenge after winning three trophies, had been linked with a move to Barcelona.
Although other Chelsea stars are reportedly close to making moves of their own, an update from earlier in the week showed that Silva was the target of Saudi interest.
The status of transfer targets for Saudi clubs may change now that a deal is ‘on the edge’ of competition, according to Spanish source Marca.
Although Ronaldo and Benzema moved to Saudi Arabia at the conclusion of their careers, league executives want to compete with the Premier League by making bold signings of players who are at the top of their game.
Along with Wolves captain Ruben Neves, 26, Kante, 32, Hakim Ziyech, 30, and Edouard Mendy are all expected to make the move.
Since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund just took control of four clubs in their national division, the move for Silva may serve as a strong message to Premier League teams, according to the Marca report.
Another winner of the Treble, Ilkay Gundogan, is slated to leave City when his contract expires in July, and Pep Guardiola will need to completely restructure his midfield.
“Bernardo is a football player, he can play everywhere because he understands the game perfectly and every action with and without the ball,” the Spanish manager claimed back in April.
Bernardo can read positions, so please give us one extra pass. He may play holding midfielder in these kinds of games because he is so crucial.
He is a crucial player who has just started scoring goals after a brief slump. He is also taking more decisive action.
He’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever trained, and as a football player, he’s truly unique.