Two-time European champions advance in talks to sign Bernardo Silva

Juventus are advanding in talks to sign Bernardo Silva, talkSPORT understands.

Silva will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season when his contract expires, with Manchester City confirming his exit.

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Juventus, who have won the Champions League twice in their history, have held a long-term interest, but are not the only suitors, with several European and Saudi Arabian clubs also keen.

Among those looking to secure his services are Benfica, where Silva began his career, although he made just three senior appearances.

Elsewhere, Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad have made an enquiry on the player’s side.

The 31-year-old has long been linked with a Middle Eastern switch, having been engaged in on-off talks with Saudi dealmakers since the summer of 2023.

This began when Al Hilal made him an offer worth around £500,000-per-week, with a sign-on fee of over £2million.

Silva was again linked with a move to the Middle East last summer, but he made it clear he was not prepared to leave Man City a year out from the 2026 World Cup.

And if he chooses to make Juventus his next destination, he would follow in the footsteps of Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who made the move to Turin in 2018, before departing in 2021.

Since his £43million move to England in 2017, Silva has played a key role in City’s dominance, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.

He has made over 400 appearances for the club, and has twice been named in the PFA Team of the Year – in 2019 and 2022.

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Decision time

Silva was made club captain last summer, following the departures of Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne, and has made 41 appearances altogether this season.

And City manager, Pep Guardiola, made no secret that he would love to see the playmaker stay on at the Etihad beyond this term.

Speaking in January, the Spaniard said: “I would love for Man City, for myself as well, [that] Bernardo is going to stay forever.

“But so we spoke a lot with Bernie and Bernie has to decide the best for him and his family.

“And whatever happens this season, next season, in ten years, he will remain one of the greatest players that this club has had in its long history.”

Silva will be hoping to leave on a high with City still in the hunt for a domestic treble.

Guardiola’s side beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final last month to lift the first major trophy of the season.

Meanwhile, they face Southampton at Wembley Stadium on Saturday in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, live on talkSPORT.

City are also now in pole position to win the Premier League after eradicating the Gunners’ nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Tuesday’s win over Burnley saw them move to the summit on goals scored with five matches remaining.