An update from Spain has emerged regarding Bernardo Silva's future, with the 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder approaching the end of his current Manchester City contract
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva is out of contract at Man City in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Bernardo Silva has decided to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, with talks described as 'advanced' with another club, as per reports in Spain. There has been ongoing speculation over the Portugal international's future, as he has entered the final months of his deal at the Etihad.
With just four months for the end of the season, the 31-year-old has long been linked with a return to boyhood club Benfica while there has also been speculation about a move to the Saudi Pro League. But according to Spanish outlet Nacional, Silva has 'already communicated his willingness to move on'.
His priority is said to be to join Barcelona – a destination he is said to consider both a 'personal and professional dream'. The report adds that Barca boss Hansi Flick has had the midfielder's name 'on the table for months,' and Silva would be willing to take a salary cut to join the Blaugrana next season.
The Spanish giants are keen to reinforce their squad at low cost with a player capable of carrying the team when Pedri is unavailable. The youngster has often shouldered the burden for Barcelona, and physical issues have followed.
Elsewhere, [El Chiringuito TV journalist Nico Rodriguez](https://twitter.com/elchiringuitotv/status/2013418770866298941?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026 ) has shared details behind Silva's reported decision, saying: "Bernardo has taken the decision to end his cycle at Manchester City after nine years. He has won a lot and has been very happy in Manchester.
"He is an important player in Europe and for personal/family reasons, he has come to the decision to take up another project [in his career]. I don't know if it's at Barcelona or not but this is the information I have."
Back in September, Silva admitted he knew exactly what he was going to do but said it wasn't the right time to reveal his plans, as he focused on helping City win titles this season.
"I know exactly what I'm going to do but it's not the time to talk about it. It's time to focus on Man City, to try to do my best to try to put the club back where it belongs," he said.
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva has been at Man City for almost nine years(Image: SmartFrame/Manchester City FC)
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"We know that we've had a lot of captains who have left in the past, but it's the guys who have the most experience to pass it to the young guys and hopefully they will be the next ones to pass that experience.
"I'm focused on doing a proper season with Man City and doing as well as possible to perform and bring back the team to the level it deserves to be.
"As first captain you need to make sure that some things don't happen and create that kind of environment but what we see and what we saw in the past in this group is great characters and that's what you need.
"My job now is to try to create that energy and chemistry back as a group of captains, so people behave in the right way in training and games, arrive early, train properly, take care of themselves."
But for now, Silva remains focused on delivering for Pep Guardiola's team, with their next game coming in the Champions League against Bodø/Glimt today (Tuesday, 5:45pm).