Manchester City expect to lose key midfielder

Manchester City have already made one key signing this summer, with Mateo Kovacic arriving from rivals Chelsea earlier this month. 

The Croatia international will replace fellow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who departed The Etihad to join Barcelona just weeks after completing the treble with City.

Now, though, it appears that City are wary of losing another of their most important players.

According to Football Insider, City are increasingly pessimistic about the chances of Bernardo Silva remaining with the club.

The 28-year-old has been a crucial player for Pep Guardiola’s side since joining the club from Monaco in 2017, but the report claims that the player has received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs.

The sums of money being offered to Silva are said to be ‘mind-boggling’, and City are wary that the Portugal international will push for a move to the Pro League.

Silva has reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Arabian clubs

Despite’s the Citizens’ huge wealth, it is claimed that they are unable to compete financially with Saudi Arabian clubs and could therefore lose Silva.

Silva is contracted to his current club until the summer of 2025, but he has been heavily linked with moves away from the club in each of the past two summer transfer windows.

Both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have previously been credited with an interest in the midfielder, who has made a total of 306 appearances for City.

The Portuguese has scored 55 goals and registered 59 assists for City in total, and made no fewer than 55 appearances for the club last season.

Silva has won no fewer than 14 trophies during his spell in Manchester, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

A number of high profile players from across Europe have already moved to the Pro League, including Chelsea trio N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy.

Former Celtic star Jota also recently completed a move to the Middle East, while other players to have made the switch include Marcelo Brozovic and Ruben Neves.