Manchester City set for £50m transfer-showdown as Saudi giants eye swoop for £150k-p/w maestro

So long, Silva?!

Manchester City appear ready to cash in on their Portuguese midfield maestro, Bernardo Silva.

What’s the Word?

That is according to Football Insider who report that Silva has attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, who are willing to offer staggering sums to secure his services.

Despite City's healthy financial situation, they may struggle to compete with the lucrative offers coming from the Middle East. Silva currently earns an estimated £150,000 per week with City, but the allure of a lucrative Saudi deal could be hard to resist.

So long, Silva.

The same sources indicate that both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have maintained long-standing interest in Silva, but both European giants will find it challenging to match the financial muscle of the Saudi clubs.

Insiders close to the situation have revealed that City are apprehensive about losing Silva, fearing that he will be tempted by a new challenge elsewhere.

A potential transfer fee for Silva is expected to fall within the £45-50 million range, marking six years since his reported £43 million move from Monaco.

Notably, Ilkay Gundogan has already departed for FC Barcelona, and City quickly secured Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea as his replacement. In the event of Silva's departure, Pep Guardiola has given the green light for a similar restructuring process.

The Final Say

Last season, Silva featured in 55 matches across all competitions, contributing seven goals and eight assists along the way.

During his time at the Etihad Stadium, the Portugal international has been instrumental in winning five league titles, four League Cups, one FA Cup, and one Champions League title.

It goes without saying that the versatile maestro that is 28-year-old Silva will certainly leave a hole in the squad if he is to depart.

Of course, Pep is open to allowing players to depart from Manchester City, whether it is to pursue new challenges or to benefit the club.

He firmly believes in fostering a positive environment, where players feel valued, motivated, and have the freedom to make decisions regarding their careers.

Guardiola acknowledges that player movement is a natural aspect of football and embraces it as part of the team's evolution. His approach ensures a focused and committed squad while creating opportunities for emerging talents to thrive.

So, it goes without saying that City will find an astute way of filling the void left by the departure of Silva, whether that be through a summer market pick-up, or from the internal ranks of the City Group side.

As the transfer saga unfolds, City fans will closely watch how the situation develops, hoping that their club can navigate this potential departure with their characteristic resilience and determination.