For Man City: The loss of a legend. Bernardo is quite simply one of the finest footballers ever to play in the Premier League, a wonderfully industrious and innovative attacking midfielder who was absolutely integral to Manchester City’s period of sustained success. Indeed, the Portuguese was essentially the perfect Pep Guardiola player - which is why the Catalan loved him so much and even shed a few tears during Silva’s emotional farewell to the Etihad. Guardiola had hoped that the 31-year-old would finish his career at City, but this is an exit that had been coming for some time. Seeing him leave for nothing obviously isn’t great from a financial perspective, but it’s the least he deserved after nine years of stellar service. Still, his skill, intelligence and, perhaps most of all, personality will be sorely missed at City.Grade: D
****For Real Madrid:****Two reasons to celebrate. Not only have Los Blancos landed a player of outstanding quality on a free, they pipped bitter rivals Barcelona to his signature. After months of speculation - some of which Bernardo even commented on himself - a move to Camp Nou looked like a given. However, Jose Mourinho’s arrival at the Bernabeu clearly changed everything. 'The Special One’ made the signing of his compatriot a priority and the deal was effectively done inside 36 hours. Silva’s very best days are unquestionably behind him, but he showed during last season’s Premier League title race that he remains capable of imposing himself on the biggest games (his performance against Arsenal at the Etihad was outstanding). Perhaps more importantly than anything else, though, Bernardo is probably the ideal role model for the younger members of Madrid’s squad, the personification of what Mourinho wants from his players, that perfect mix of talent and tenacity. In that context, it’s easy to understand why Real hijacked Barca’s move for the Portugal international.Grade: B+
****For Bernardo Silva:****The move to Spain he’s sought for so long. For at least the past three summers - if not more - Silva has been linked with a transfer to one of La Liga’s top teams. Time and time again, though, Guardiola convinced him to spend another season at the Etihad. There was no changing Bernardo’s mind this time, though, and now he’ll finally have the opportunity to play for one of the traditional superpowers of European football. Granted, Madrid are going through a tough time, having been usurped at the summit of Spanish football by Barca, but helping Mourinho put them back on their perch is a challenge he’ll no doubt embrace, and enjoy. The competition for places at Real is intense and Silva isn’t quite as dynamic as he once was, but, as Guardiola has pointed out, the first five yards are in your head and, in that sense, few players are as fast as the former City skipper. So, while it’s perhaps a shame that he didn’t move to Madrid when he was slightly younger, Bernardo has the experience and quality to emulate Luka Modric (whom Mourinho brought to the Bernabeu) by shining in Spain well into his late-30s.Grade: A+