News Focus
- Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season
- Juventus are confident of signing the Portuguese midfielder on a free transfer for 2026-27
- Barcelona and Atletico Madrid remain serious competitors for his signature
- The 31-year-old wants his future settled before Portugal’s 2026 World Cup preparations begin
- He has rejected lucrative moves to the Saudi Pro League, MLS and a return to Benfica for now
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is preparing for a major career move. The 31-year-old has confirmed he will exit the Premier League champions when his current deal finishes at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Italian club Juventus are the favourites to secure his signature. The Serie A side hope to bring the Portuguese star to Turin on a free transfer for the 2026-27 season. However, they face stiff competition from other European giants.
Spanish club Barcelona remain strong contenders for the six-time Premier League winner. Rivals Atletico Madrid are also monitoring the situation closely. Turkish side Galatasaray have also expressed interest in the attack-minded midfielder.
Time is running out for interested clubs to reach an agreement. Silva insists he must resolve his future before joining the Portugal national team for the 2026 World Cup preparations in North America.
“I want to resolve it between the end of the season and the start of training with the National Team,” Silva told Portuguese broadcaster Canal 11. “I want to have a clear head, because the World Cup is too important a competition.”
This deadline appears to give Juventus an advantage over Barcelona. The Catalan club must first sell players before they can fund a move for Silva and register new signings. Juventus do not face the same immediate financial obstacles.
Silva has ruled out an immediate return to his boyhood club Benfica, where he started his professional career. He has also turned down lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer in the United States. The midfielder still has strong ambitions to compete at the highest level in European football.
The next crucial step involves key talks between Juventus officials and Silva’s agent, Jorge Mendes. Reports indicate this meeting will take place shortly after the Premier League and Serie A seasons conclude on May 24.