Real Madrid are reportedly planning a summer raid on Premier League champions Manchester City for the signing of Portuguese star Bernardo Silva.
Reigning European champions Real Madrid are already sketching out plans for the summer transfer window and have identified Manchester City’s attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva as a priority target, as per a report from the Mirror.
Real Madrid are believed to be planning a huge summer splurge after what has been an underwhelming season so far. The Merengues have their eyes set firmly on Chelsea wing-wizard Eden Hazard, as they look to replace Portuguese maverick Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus last summer.
Along with a marquee addition in the final third of the pitch, Los Blancos are understood to be keen on bringing in an attack-minded creative midfielder, as Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will turn 34 by the time the next season comes around and will be entering the final year of his contract with the club.
To that end, Real Madrid had been heavily linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Christian Eriksen not very long ago. According to latest reports, however, Manchester City superstar Bernardo Silva seems to have emerged as a potential target for the Spanish capital outfit.
Silva came through the youth ranks at Benfica in Portugal, but made his name with AS Monaco, where he played an integral role in the Principality outfit’s title winning campaign back in 2016-17. Following his exploits during that campaign, City shelled out £43.5 million to clinch his signing in the summer of 2017.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a brilliant debut season with Pep Guardiola’s side, notching up 9 goals and 11 assists in 53 matches as the Cityzens completed a Premier League and Carabao Cup double. In the ongoing term, Silva has scored and set up 7 goals apiece in 28 appearances across all competitions.
Silva is viewed by manager Guardiola as the long-term heir to fellow playmaker and namesake David Silva, who is entering the twilight of his career and has previously hinted at an exit from the Etihad Stadium in 2020, when his contract runs out.
The 33-time capped Portuguese international still has three and a half years left on his current contract with Manchester City, having signed a five-year contract when he joined from Monaco.
However, with reports of interest from Real Madrid doing the rounds, it is believed that the Premier League champions will soon be entering negotiations with Silva over a new and improved deal, as they look to fend off all suitors.
Silva is an important cog in the scheme of things for Guardiola and with still more than three years on his deal, prying him away from Manchester could prove to be quite expensive for Real Madrid. However, should they be able to pull off the transfer, it has the potential to pay rich dividends for the club for years to come.
