Bernardo Silva edges closer to Real Madrid move after nine-year Man City exit

Bernardo Silva is on the verge of joining Real Madrid as a free agent after confirming his departure from Manchester City at the end of his contract this summer, ending a nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Reports in Spain indicate the Portuguese midfielder has agreed a two-year deal with Los Blancos, with the option of a further 12 months should Real choose to activate it. The move appears to have been accelerated by José Mourinho’s expected arrival as head coach at the Bernabéu, with Real now having edged ahead of Barcelona in the race for Silva’s signature.

Silva, who captained City during his time in Manchester, made an emotional farewell to supporters after the final Premier League fixture of the season. “It is really tough to put into words my feelings for Man City, towards you guys,” he told the crowd. “I don’t think I will feel the same love ever in my life. The love I got from you guys, I doubt I will ever get it again. All the memories we have together, with my brothers, it is a family and you will always be my family.”

At 31, retirement was never on the agenda. Silva had expressed a desire to move to a club closer to his native Portugal, and while Barcelona showed early interest, his response when asked about a potential move to the Catalan club was carefully guarded. “Is it a dream? I’m not going to answer that because I don’t know where I’ll end up,” he said. “[Barcelona] is an option I have, but I haven’t made that decision yet. We don’t know what will happen.”

Former City teammate Rodri, himself linked with Real Madrid, offered a strong endorsement of Silva’s prospects in the Spanish capital. “I can see him at any top club,” Rodri told Cadena Ser’s El Laguero. “He’s a fantastic player and I believe he has completed his cycle at Manchester City. He’s 32 years old, but he still has a huge hunger to win and plenty of ambition.”

Silva’s departure brings the curtain down on one of the most decorated tenures in City’s history, a period that included multiple Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League crown in 2023.