Bernardo Silva makes summer transfer decision as Man City contract winds down
Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva has little over a year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium but does not plan to leave the club in the summer
Bernardo Silva hopes to stay at Manchester City this summer and see out his contract amid rumours he could leave as part of a squad overhaul. Like many City players, Silva has endured a difficult campaign, with the soon-to-be-deposed champions struggling in fifth place and out of the Champions League.
But the 30-year-old, who has played 394 games for City in eight seasons, is determined to enjoy more success with the club. Silva has a year left on his contract, and has been linked with a move away, but he insisted his sights are on next season with the Blues.
“I wanted to win a Premier League, I wanted to win a Champions League, I wanted to win an FA Cup," said Silva.
“But I never thought specifically that I would, in seven years, win six Premier Leagues. The journey has just been crazy and hopefully it doesn't stop here. But yeah, it's been good.”
READ MORE: Sky Sports prepare pundits for imminent Man City 115 charges verdict with clear messageREAD MORE: Premier League supercomputer predicts every team's finishing position and points totalSilva joined City in 2017 for £43.5million deal, after he impressed for the Monaco side who knocked them out in the last 16 of the Champions League, in Guardiola's first year in charge. “That's when you guys decided you couldn't beat me, so you had to buy me!” joked Silva.
“Pep congratulated me after beating me in the first game, because after the second game he was probably too mad to come and talk to me. I don't remember exactly the words, but I remember him telling me that he was really impressed.
"I also remember the day after my agent called me and said 'They were really impressed and they might go for you'. It was a really great experience to play at the Etihad and who knew it would be the first of a lot - a lot - of games?”
Silva's last outing may have caught some off guard however. The Portugal international was introduced shortly before the hour mark but was soon making way against Brighton.
The veteran lasted just 18 minutes before he was substituted for Phil Foden. With no obvious signs of an injury for the 30-year-old as he made his exit, Guardiola was asked about the decision following the draw but failed to clear up the situation.
"I don't know I didn't speak to the doctors," Guardiola told Match of the Day when asked specifically about an injury. "Bernardo is so strong."
Silva trained with his international team-mates on Monday however. Portugal face Denmark in two legs over the next week.
Roberto Martinez's side will hope to earn a place in the Nations League semi-final with a victory.
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