Latest developments
- Benfica make contact over Bernardo Silva move.
- The Portuguese club are unwilling to pay the player's release clause.
- Silva's Manchester City deal runs until 2026.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (4/5): Benfica make Silva approach
Portuguese giants Benfica have reportedly made contact with Silva's representatives to establish whether he would be open to rejoining the club.
That is according to The Times, who suggest Silva could depart Man City this summer as part of Pep Guardiola's rebuild.
Value (3/5): Benfica unwilling to meet release clause
While Benfica are keen to resign their academy product, they are not prepared to meet the €50m (£42.6m) release clause in his Man City contract.
As a result, they would look to negotiate a lower fee if they step up their interest this summer. Meanwhile, Man City may have to compromise on the fee, with Silva set to enter the final year of his contract.
Suitability (3.5/5): Wealth of experience
Silva has experienced a dip in form over the past couple of years, but he still has the quality to be an important player for most major European clubs.
The 30-year-old also boasts a wealth of experience, having made 396 appearances during his eight-year stint at the Etihad Stadium, helping Man City win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups, a Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Upgrade? (4/5): Versatile attacker
Silva would offer great versatility to Bruno Lage's side, considering he can play as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder or as a right winger.
Lage would likely use him in midfield in his 4-3-3 formation, meaning he will compete with the likes of Orkun Kokcu, Fredrik Aursenes and Leandro Barreiro for a starting spot.
Logic (4/5): Unfinished business
It now seems like the right time for Silva to leave Man City, with Guardiola looking to continue the rebuild he started in the January transfer window.
A move to Benfica would make perfect sense because it would give Silva the chance to complete some unfinished business. The Portugal international came through the youth ranks at Benfica, but he only made three appearances for the first team before he left for Monaco in 2014.
Whisper+ verdict: 18.5/25
There seems to be a strong chance that Silva could be one of those to leave as part of Man City's rebuild this summer. If that is the case, then a move to Benfica would be a sensible option as long as the Portuguese giants can reach an agreement over the transfer fee.
