There has been a key twist in the future of Manchester City’s midfield linchpin Bernardo Silva, with the Portuguese international seriously considering joining the Saudi Pro League on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
As early as the summer of 2023, Al-Hilal had offered Bernardo a blockbuster contract featuring a weekly salary of around £500,000 plus a £2 million signing-on fee. Although Bernardo chose to stay at Manchester City at the time, his contact with Saudi parties has not been interrupted.
The 31-year-old Bernardo is one of the most experienced players in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Since joining Manchester City from Monaco in 2017, he has made over 400 appearances for the Citizens, winning 6 Premier League titles and the 2023 UEFA Champions League. However, as he enters the latter stages of his career, Saudi Arabia is likely to be the destination for his final big-money contract.
The Saudi Pro League aims to increase the number of Portuguese stars in 2026 to sustain the viewing boom driven by the Cristiano Ronaldo effect. The new round of international broadcast deals has been extended to the 2028/29 season, with global broadcast revenue rising by 20%.
Sources have revealed that the Saudi side is considering offering Bernardo a four-year contract to ensure he stays until the end of the new cycle.
Currently, Al-Hilal is unlikely to make another move for him; instead, Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah have shown greater interest. Al-Nassr is also monitoring the situation but is prioritizing a move for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
