MY ACCOUNT
Bernardo Silva’s mooted departure from Manchester City did not materialise as it was “no longer the right time” when a “concrete offer” was belatedly made, his father Paulo has said.
The Portugal international was strongly linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium during the transfer window, with Barcelona heavily tipped as a potential destination.
But Silva ultimately stayed put with Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions, revealing afterwards a late bid had arrived from an unnamed suitor.
Silva suggested City’s inability to recruit a replacement late in the window halted any move, and his father has added a transfer did not work “for everyone” at that point.
“There [were] a lot of conversations but not really a concrete offer in time that we thought could be made,” Paulo Silva told Stats Perform at the FPF Football Talks 2022 in Lisbon.
“By the time these offers started to emerge, we realised that it was no longer the right time for everyone. If things were to happen, they would have happened rationally.
“So, it wasn’t the ideal scenario for Bernardo when he’s 28. He is a mature player. He still has time to give to football to learn and grow further. Things have to be done with rationality and not emotionality.”
Silva has two goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, helping City remain unbeaten as they look to retain their title.
