Arsenal eyeing shock summer deal for Manchester City star

Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Bernardo Silva’s situation ahead of a possible move for the Manchester City star in the summer transfer window.

Just five days ago, Silva announced that this season would be his last with City, with the Portugal international set to bring down the curtain on a glittering nine-year spell at the Etihad.

Since arriving at City back in 2017, Silva has racked up 76 goals and 77 assists in 452 appearances under Pep Guardiola, proving an invaluable member of the dressing room while helping the club win 18 pieces of silverware.

The 31-year-old will be desperate to add a seventh Premier League trophy to that collection this term – and he did everything in his power to help City on their way with an extraordinary performance in the side’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the weekend.

It came a month on from a similarly outstanding display from Silva against the Gunners, as the Portuguese lifted the Carabao Cup for a fifth time while wearing the captain’s armband at Wembley.

But while Silva is arguably playing the best football of his City career, his mind his made up and he will depart Manchester on a free transfer when his contract expires in June.

According to ESPN’s Bruno Andrade, Silva’s impending departure is ‘already causing a stir in the European transfer market’ and both Barcelona and Arsenal have emerged as potential destinations for the soon-to-be free agent.

It’s claimed the Gunners are closely ‘monitoring’ Silva’s movements as they look to strengthen their midfield options and add greater experience to their squad for next season.

Mikel Arteta, of course, worked with Silva during his time as Guardiola’s assistant at City and would be keen to explore a proposed deal having previously coaxed Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko to north London.

However, Arsenal’s chances of striking an agreement for Silva are seen as ‘remote’ given their intense rivalry with City.

Barca, meanwhile, are said to ‘stand out as an option more aligned’ to Silva, able to offer the Lisbon-born midfielder an opportunity to stay at the top without upsetting his current employers.

Silva believes he ‘still has a place at a high level’, determined to further challenge himself and remain with a ‘competitive’ team in Europe.

The report stresses that Silva has no immediate plans to move to the Saudi Pro League, despite the incredible riches on offer should he follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Ruben Neves.

The same can be said for Benfica, the club where he made his first steps in professional football. However, the idea of winding up his illustrious career in Lisbon ‘remains a personal desire’ and a strong possibility for the future.

Announcing the news of his impending City exit on Instagram last week, Silva wrote: ‘When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things.

‘This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more… It wasn’t that bad.

‘In a few months it’s time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!

‘To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I will never forget. My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game.’

He went on: ‘I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Keep supporting this young team and I’m pretty sure they will bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future.

‘To the club, Pep, the staff and all my teammates these nine years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long.

‘The atmosphere we created every day in the training ground made me feel at home and a part of a big family.

‘Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us. Love you all, Bernardo.’

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