Bernardo Silva Could Follow Kevin De Bruyne Out of Man City as Benfica Open Talks to Bring Midfielder Home

Manchester City might be facing a significant midfield exodus as reports emerge that Bernardo Silva could be the next star to depart following Kevin De Bruyne’s potential exit. Sources close to negotiations have confirmed that Silva’s boyhood club Benfica have initiated formal discussions to bring the Portuguese international back to Lisbon where his football journey began. This development comes at a critical time for City as the club may need to rebuild their midfield core if both playmakers leave during the same transfer window.

Silva, who arrived at Manchester City in 2017 from Monaco, has been instrumental in the club’s dominance under Pep Guardiola’s leadership. During his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, the midfielder has collected an impressive haul of trophies including multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the coveted Champions League. Now at 29 years old and approaching what many consider the final peak years of his career, the Portuguese star appears to be contemplating a return to his roots. “Talks are underway,” confirmed a source with knowledge of the negotiations. “Benfica are very serious about this move. They see Bernardo as a symbol of their project and are doing everything possible to convince him.”

The potential departure has already been addressed by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during a recent press conference. With his characteristic straightforwardness, Guardiola acknowledged the situation while expressing a measured perspective on player transfers.

“Bernardo is one of the best players I’ve ever coached, but I’ve always said I don’t want unhappy players. If he wants a new challenge, we will find the best solution for him and for the club,” Guardiola stated, suggesting that the club would not stand in Silva’s way should he desire a move back to Portugal.

The timing of Silva’s potential exit is particularly noteworthy as it coincides with growing speculation surrounding Kevin De Bruyne’s future at Manchester City. The Belgian maestro has recently been linked with lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, with reports indicating he’s seriously considering such a move as he enters the later stages of his illustrious career. The prospect of losing both De Bruyne and Silva during the same transfer window would represent a seismic shift in City’s midfield composition and could necessitate significant recruitment activity.

While Guardiola remained typically reserved about potential replacements, he did allude to “big decisions” being on the horizon for the summer transfer period. This has fueled speculation about who might be targeted to fill the creative void should both midfield stars depart. Names like Lucas Paquetá from West Ham and Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle have been mentioned in early media reports as potential targets, though no official interest has been confirmed by Manchester City.

For Silva, a return to Benfica would carry deep emotional significance. Despite developing in Benfica’s renowned youth academy, he departed the club early in his career without fully establishing himself in the first team – a circumstance that has always left room for a sentimental homecoming. Throughout his time in England, Silva has consistently spoken warmly about his formative years at Benfica and his connection to the club where his football dreams first took shape.

In Lisbon, anticipation is already building among the passionate Benfica faithful. Rui Costa, the club’s president and himself a legendary figure in Portuguese football, reportedly views signing Silva as more than just a sporting acquisition. Sources suggest Costa considers bringing Silva home as a “statement signing” that would serve multiple purposes: strengthening the team’s competitive abilities, boosting commercial appeal, and providing inspiration to the next generation of academy prospects.

The financial aspects of such a deal remain complex. Silva’s market value and current wages at Manchester City present significant hurdles for Benfica, traditionally not among Europe’s highest-spending clubs. However, reports indicate that creative financial structures are being explored, potentially including deferred payments, performance bonuses, and commercial partnerships that could make the transfer feasible.

For Manchester City, Silva’s departure would mark the end of an era characterized by his exceptional technical ability, tactical intelligence, and remarkable work ethic. Often described as Guardiola’s “Swiss Army knife,” Silva has demonstrated extraordinary versatility throughout his City career, excelling in multiple positions across the midfield and forward lines. His ability to press relentlessly while maintaining technical excellence has made him one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders.

Silva’s statistics at City speak to his impact: over 300 appearances across all competitions, more than 50 goals, numerous assists, and a consistency that has made him one of the first names on Guardiola’s team sheet during the most successful period in the club’s history. Beyond the numbers, his intelligent movement, press-resistance, and ability to control tempo have been fundamental to City’s domination of English football.

Should the transfer materialize, it would represent one of the summer’s most emotionally resonant moves – a world-class player returning to complete an unfinished journey that began more than a decade ago. For Benfica, securing Silva’s signature would be considered a massive coup and signal serious intent to compete not just domestically but on the European stage.

Portuguese football has experienced a renaissance in recent years with talents like Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias, and João Félix elevating the nation’s football profile. Bringing Silva back to the Primeira Liga would further enhance the competition’s appeal and quality while potentially encouraging other Portuguese stars to consider similar homecomings in the future.

For Silva personally, the decision represents a delicate balance between continuing at one of Europe’s elite clubs and the emotional pull of returning to his boyhood team. At 29, he still has several years at the top level ahead of him, making this potentially his last opportunity to return to Benfica while still in his prime rather than as a veteran in the twilight of his career.

Manchester City fans have grown accustomed to Silva’s importance to the team’s success. His intelligent pressing, exceptional close control in tight spaces, and ability to connect defense with attack have been crucial elements in City’s tactical approach. His versatility has allowed Guardiola to deploy him as a central midfielder, wide playmaker, false nine, or even as a wing-back when tactical situations demanded it. Replacing such versatility would prove challenging even for a club with City’s vast resources.

If both Silva and De Bruyne depart, it would signal the end of a golden midfield era at the Etihad and potentially mark the beginning of a transitional period under Guardiola. The Spanish manager has previously navigated similar situations successfully, rebuilding the team after the departures of key figures like Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Sergio Agüero. However, losing two world-class midfielders simultaneously would present a unique challenge.

Industry experts suggest that City’s recruitment department, led by Director of Football Txiki Begiristain, has likely been preparing contingency plans. The club’s scouting network is renowned for identifying talent that fits Guardiola’s specific tactical requirements well in advance of actual needs arising.

As negotiations continue between Benfica and Manchester City, attention will focus on whether an agreement can be reached that satisfies all parties. Silva has a contract with City until 2026, giving the English champions a strong negotiating position. However, the club has generally not stood in the way of players seeking new challenges when their contributions have been as significant as Silva’s.

The story of Bernardo Silva potentially returning to Benfica represents more than just another transfer rumor – it embodies the emotional connections that remain at football’s heart despite the sport’s increasingly business-oriented nature. For a player who has won nearly everything possible at club level, the pull of completing a circle by returning to where it all began carries a powerful allure that financial incentives alone cannot match.

As summer approaches, this developing situation will be closely monitored by fans of both clubs. For City supporters, there’s apprehension about losing a beloved player who has embodied the technical excellence and tactical intelligence that has defined their team’s style. For Benfica fans, there’s growing excitement about welcoming home a favorite son who left to conquer Europe and could now return as one of the world’s premier midfielders.

Whether Silva ultimately decides to make this emotional return or continue his journey at Manchester City remains to be seen, but the mere possibility has already captured the imagination of football fans across Europe. At its core, this potential transfer reminds us that beneath the business of modern football, the emotional narratives of homecomings and completed journeys still resonate deeply within the game’s culture.