Bernardo Silva may have hinted at a Manchester City exit in the summer of 2026.
The Portuguese playmaker has been one of City’s standouts in recent seasons with 72 goals and 74 assists from a whopping 414 appearances for the club.
The 31-year-old has spent eight years at the Etihad and enjoyed trophy laden success with 17 items of winning silverware to his name including a Champions League and six Premier League winners’ medals.
The clock may be ticking down on the player’s career – albeit he will surely have a good few years left to play – but he has already hinted at his time in Manchester potentially coming to an end at the end of this season.
Silva has watched teammates depart in recent seasons for pastures new including Sergio Aguero – who moved to Barcelona – Kevin de Bruyne who switched for Napoli and even Ederson who moved to Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window.
Bernardo Silva to Benfica? Return to boyhood club on cards for Man City star
And it could be time for the veteran City star to make his own moves with a familiar club believed to be calling his name.
Silva began his career at Benfica in his native Portugal and it is firmly believed he could make his return to the club where it all began next year.
Now managed by Jose Mourinho, an emotional move could be on the cards with the manager also having previously worked with the Eagles early in his own career.
Benfica’s presidential candidate, Joao Noronha Lopes, recently revealed how he plans to sign Bernardo in January with a contract “waiting” on the table for the playmaker.
“Yes, I can confirm that a contract is waiting for Bernardo Silva. And I really want to bring him in in January,” he said.
Bernardo Silva addresses Manchester City future
However it remains to be seen whether or not they can convince the player to make that move a reality.
Silva earlier this week dropped a hint that he sees his future away from Manchester City.
However he vowed to do all he can in the meantime to take the English giants back to where he feels they belong at the top of the division with Liverpool and Arsenal currently ahead and doing battle for the league.
He said: “I know exactly what I’m going to do but it’s not the time to talk about it. It’s time to focus on City to try to do my best to put the club back where it belongs.
“In regard to my contract, I’m really focused on doing a proper season with Man City and being as well as possible to perform and to bring back the team and the club to the level where it deserves to be in the world.”
