Manchester City ‘make an improved contract offer to Bernardo Silva’ in an attempt to ward off Saudi interest as the Portuguese star considers his options
Manchester City are reportedly making a late intervention in a bid to convince Bernardo Silva to extend his stay at the club.
Silva starred for the Sky Blues last season as City secured the historic Treble by winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, but has been tipped for a potential exit.
The riches of Saudi Arabia has peaked Silva’s interest who has been offered a deal that would see him earn over £75m-per-season, with Al Hilal pushing hard to bring the winger to the Kingdom.
The oil-rich nation has already snapped up some of Europe’s biggest names with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante all joining the Saudi Pro League in the past 12 months.
However, City – although unable to match the Saudi mega-money – have offered Silva a new and improved deal in an effort to convince the player to remain in England, according to the Times.
Manchester City have reportedly made an improved contract offer to Bernardo Silva
Silva played an influential role in City’s Treble success last season but could leave the club
Silva’s existing deal still has two years to run, meaning that City could command a hefty transfer fee for the Treble-winning star, however the club appear keen to ward off any clubs interested in entering negotiations.
The English champions aren’t strapped for cash and if Silva left the club then he would become the first European superstar to leave for the Middle East while at the peak of his career.
Jamie Carragher has warned that if Silva was to move then it would be a game changer for Saudi football, tweeting: ‘Bernardo Silva is in his peak years & has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years!’
‘I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30’s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Ruben Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer.
The 28-year-old is well-loved at Manchester City and has played a pivotal role in the club’s domineering success in recent seasons.
He started 24 of his 34 Premier League appearances and was influential in the Champions League, scoring crucial goals in the competition’s quarter-final and semi-final against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively.
City boss Pep Guardiola (left) is keen to keep hold of the Portuguese star for next season
Silva is being chased by Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal who are able to offer a huge wage
‘I’m happy that Bernardo became a winning player,’ Guardiola said. ‘Of course the highlights will be of Erling. But we cannot forget what Bernardo has done, scoring the goal and creating down the right side in the second half.
‘What amazes me about Bernardo is that when the game is going wrong he makes a step forward, he loves to play in this situation. He’s comfortable with it,’ he said.
‘Some players maybe step backward and he makes a step forward. That’s why he is irreplaceable in many ways for us…’
