Manchester City are preparing for a summer of change, with some of their most experienced players eyeing a departure, potentially along with manager Josep Guardiola.
Bernardo Silva and Rodri could leave Manchester City this summer (Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Bernardo Silva’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is reportedly already trying to persuade Barcelona to sign the player in the summer transfer window. Silva’s contract with Manchester City is set to expire at the end of June, and it seems likely that he will leave on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old midfielder has been a mainstay at City almost ever since joining from Monaco in 2017, and was appointed captain by manager Josep Guardiola at the start of the season following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure. However, this summer could be one of big changes for City, with Guardiola’s departure the subject of much speculation and Silva potentially on the move as well.
The Portugal international has made 449 appearances for City, all of them under Guardiola, and is one of City’s modern-day greats, alongside the likes of De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva. However, he has only three goals and five assists this season, and there is no sign of a new contract.
So Mendes set his sights on Barcelona as a destination for his client. He has a good relationship with Joan Laporta, who has been re-elected as Barça’s new president, and newspaper Sport reports that Mendes has already begun lobbying manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco to sign Silva.
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Silva will be eligible to play as a free agent when his contract with City expires on June 30, but there are several hurdles to clear for Silva, who is expected to earn a high annual salary. Barça are dealing with well-known financial problems and already have a wealth of top midfielders at their disposal.
If Mendes shows his magic, Silva could join City teammate Rodri, who has been linked with Real Madrid, in a move to La Liga. Despite joining City from Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid in 2019, the Spain international remains open to joining Los Blancos. Rodri has less than 18 months left on his contract and has been openly courting Real in recent days.
“I want to go back, of course I do,” Rodri said this week when asked about a return to Spain. “For me, La Liga is the starting point. I still follow La Liga, certainly not as much as before, but I still follow it.
Rodri openly courting Real Madrid (Image: Getty Images)
“And I have to admit that the Premier League is my weakness. I think the Premier League is a thrilling league but at the same time a very tough league, which means it pushes you to the limit. I have been in the Premier League for seven years and I feel time has passed, but so far I am very happy.”
“I’m currently recovering from my injury, but what I’m worried about right now is how I feel, my level, how to get back to my previous level. It’s not a contract issue, it’s something that’s very important to get to my level, especially with the World Cup coming up.”
“I’m free now. Of course, I have one year left on my contract. Obviously, there will come a time when we have to sit down and talk.”
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