Arsenal eyeing shock summer deal for Man City star Bernardo Silva | Football

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

Just five days ago, Silva announced that this season can be his last with City, with the Portugal international set to bring down the curtain on a glittering nine-year spell on 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 a useful member of the dressing room while helping the club win 18 pieces of silverware.

The 31-year-old shall be eager to add a seventh Premier League trophy to that collection this term – and he did every little thing in his power to assist City on their way with a unprecedented performance within the side’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal on the weekend.

It got here a month on from a similarly outstanding display from Silva against the Gunners, because 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 very best football of his City profession, his mind his made up and he’ll depart Manchester on a free transfer when his contract expires in June.

In keeping with ESPN’s Bruno Andrade, Silva’s impending departure is ‘already causing a stir within the European transfer market’ and each 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 give the impression of being to strengthen their midfield options and add greater experience to their squad for next season.

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

Nonetheless, Arsenal’s possibilities of striking an agreement for Silva are seen as ‘distant’ given their intense rivalry with City.

Barca, meanwhile, are said to ‘stand out as an option more aligned’ to Silva, in a position to offer the Lisbon-born midfielder a possibility to remain at the highest without upsetting his current employers.

Silva believes he ‘still has a spot 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 maneuver to the Saudi Pro League, despite the incredible riches on offer should he follow within the footsteps of fellow countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Ruben Neves.

The identical may be said for Benfica, the club where he made his first steps in skilled football. Nonetheless, the thought of winding up his illustrious profession in Lisbon ‘stays a private desire’ and a powerful possibility for the long run.

Announcing the news of his impending City exit on Instagram last week, Silva wrote: ‘Once I arrived nine years ago, I used to be following a dream of just a little boy, wanting to reach life, wanting to realize great things.

‘This city and this club gave me far more than that, far more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that can endlessly be cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the 4 In A Row and far more… It wasn’t that bad.

‘In a number of months it’s time to say goodbye to town where not only we won a lot as a football club, but in addition where I began my marriage and my family. From the underside of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thanks!

‘To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something that I’ll always remember. My most important goal as a player was to at all times play with passion so that you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that each single game.’

He went on: ‘I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as yet another of you, a Man City supporter for all times. Keep supporting this young team and I’m pretty sure they are going to bring you a variety of latest incredible memories in the long run.

‘To the club, Pep, the staff and all my teammates these nine years, thanks for all of the memories and for letting me be an element of this journey for therefore long.

‘The atmosphere we created every single day within the training ground made me feel at home and an element of a giant 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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