Bernardo Silva makes stunning transfer U-turn after Man City exit

Departing Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has seemingly performed a U-turn despite reports suggesting a move to Barcelona was imminent.

Silva opted against signing a new contract with City and will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June, bringing his nine-year stay in Manchester to an end.

The Portugal international, who will form part of Roberto Martinez's 26-man World Cup squad, leaves City as a club legend, having made 460 appearances, scoring 76 goals and providing 77 assists, helping the side win six Premier League titles, five League Cups, three FA Cups, three Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.

He will become available as a free agent once his contract ends, with La Liga champions Barcelona widely expected to be his next club despite links with a return to his hometown club, Benfica.

Just last week, The Times claimed Silva had been offered contracts by Benfica and Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, although he would reportedly 'prefer' a switch to the Camp Nou as he currently has family living in Catalonia.

Barca are reportedly ready to offer Silva an £80,000-per-week salary, a significant decrease on his earnings at City, but this is not expected to make or break any potential move.

A decision on his future was expected to be made before the World Cup begins on June 11; however, the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, has suggested that Silva has decided to focus on the tournament first in an apparent U-turn.

Posting on X on June 3, journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote: "Bernardo Silva changed plans and will decide his future after the World Cup.

"The initial plan was before the World Cup, but Silva understands nothing is done yet and now plans to focus on Portugal.

"'Bernardo will decide after the World Cup,' agent Jorge Mendes tells me."

Silva is under no pressure to resolve his future

Speaking back in May, Silva addressed his future, insisting that he still did not know where he would be playing next season.

"I don't have [anything finalised], and I don't know where I'm going to play,” he said. “I really don't know. I have an idea of what I want to do. I'm talking to my agent, but I don't know where I'm going to play next season. I really don't know."

When asked about interest from Saudi clubs, he added: "I could answer, but from a negotiating point of view it doesn't make much sense. I prefer not to answer... I have contacts, I know of some intentions, I know who wants it, who doesn't, who might eventually want it. I haven't discussed values, there's nothing on the table. It's not worrying. I'm relaxed. I have good options. I have preference orders. Whatever comes up will always be good."