Galatasaray ‘to offer’ €15m-a-year deal to Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva | OneFootball

Galatasaray are preparing a €15m-a-year contract to lure Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva to Istanbul this summer, Takvim reports.

At 31, Silva remains central to Pep Guardiola’s plans during a transitional season that followed the exits of Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan. His intelligence and tireless work have underpinned City in high-stakes matches.

With his deal running down to June and more than 440 appearances for the Cityzens, there is growing expectation the six-time Premier League winner may seek a new challenge. The squad’s shift under new sporting director Hugo Viana has fuelled a sense that his nine-year Etihad stay could be nearing its natural close.

Galatasaray’s push forms part of a drive to assemble top-tier European experience. Last summer they stunned the market by signing Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan.

The presence of Sané and Gündoğan, former City team-mates, is viewed as a potential draw. Silva is said to be pleased with the Turkish champions’ interest after his agent, Jorge Mendes, held preliminary talks with club officials last year.

Juventus, Barcelona and AC Milan are monitoring the situation, yet few are expected to match the financial package on offer. The proposed salary level is considered prohibitive amid tighter budgets in Italy and Spain.

By moving early, Galatasaray aim to close a deal before rivals mobilise. For Silva, a switch to RAMS Park would offer a lucrative late-career contract and the chance to reunite with a familiar core.

Source: Turkish-Football.com