Manchester City midfielder leaves door open to dramatic Ligue 1 transfer | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva has left the door open to a return to former club AS Monaco later down the line in his professional playing career, speaking during a new interview.

The Manchester City captain has been the subject of speculation over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, despite being one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players as his contract continues to wind down towards an expiry next summer.

While links to Barcelona, PSG, Benfica, and most recently Saudi Arabia have dominated headlines in recent seasons, Silva has rarely spoken publicly about the idea of revisiting his time in Ligue 1, until now.

Silva first arrived at the Principality club in 2014 from Benfica and quickly established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting attacking midfielders. His standout 2016/17 campaign, in which Monaco claimed the league title and reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, ultimately earned him his big-money move to City.

At the Etihad, Silva has gone on to lift every major trophy available, including multiple Premier League titles and the Champions League, becoming an emblem of Pep Guardiola’s tactical system.

Yet, despite his success in England, there remains a lingering sense that the midfielder may one day seek a new challenge – potentially by returning to familiar surroundings where his professional journey first took off at the highest level.

Speaking to Telefoot in the aftermath of AS Monaco’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City this week, Bernardo Silva was quizzed on whether a return to the Ligue 1 club in the final years of his career was deemed as a possibility.

“I can’t, don’t want to say I missed it. Let me say I have very good memories,” Bernardo Silva said, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.

“It was a time, a very special time in my life. Monaco! It was the club that gave me the opportunity to start at that level, but it was a wonderful three years in Monaco, in France.

“We could see, you never know. You never know,” he added.

For Monaco, the possibility of welcoming back one of their most celebrated modern players would be seen as a huge statement in French football.

With the club continuing to develop and invest in young talent, Bernardo Silva’s experience and pedigree could make him the ideal figure to bridge generations should such a reunion ever materialise.

From Manchester City’s perspective, the comments add further intrigue to Silva’s future, especially with his contract set to expire next year and continued links to Saudi Arabia and Benfica still unresolved.

The fact that the midfielder has now publicly mentioned Monaco as a potential destination means that the pool of suitors for his signature appears wider than ever. Ultimately, much may hinge on how the final years of Silva’s City career unfold.

If Guardiola remains in charge until 2027 and keeps Silva at the heart of his squad, a farewell may be delayed. But if opportunities or motivation across the squad begins to fade, a romantic return to Monaco cannot be ruled out as City refresh their options once more.