Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho reach total agreement to sign Bernardo Silva on free transfer | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva will join Real Madrid as a free agent this summer after his recent departure from Manchester City, as per reports.

The 31-year-old brings the curtain down on a saga that had appeared destined to end at Barcelona for the best part of a year, with the Catalan club having reached an agreement in principle earlier this year and Silva understood to have accepted a substantial wage reduction to facilitate a move that he has wanted for years.

Silva departed Manchester City last month after nine years at the Etihad Stadium, having lifted 20 major honours, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League en route to a historic treble in the 2022-23 season.

The Portugal international had insisted last week that no final decision had been made on his next destination, naming Barcelona as one option among several.

Report: Silva agrees two-year Real Madrid deal

However, as reported by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Silva to Real Madrid is a done deal, with the former Manchester City captain agreeing a two-year contract plus the option of a further season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The speed of the agreement is remarkable, with Madrid’s pursuit having started just 36 hours before the deal was closed and an official proposal only emerging on Thursday as Los Blancos sought to hijack Barcelona’s pursuit of the midfielder.

Real Madrid’s newly-appointed manager Jose Mourinho is understood to have personally driven the move, with the 63-year-old identifying his compatriot as a priority addition and Silva saying yes once the approach arrived.

The development leaves Barcelona empty-handed after years of groundwork, with the Catalan club’s long-standing agreement in principle ultimately counting for nothing once Madrid moved with speed and conviction.

What does Silva’s Madrid move mean for City fans?

Silva’s decision closes the chapter on one of the great Manchester City careers, with supporters now set to watch their former captain in the white of Madrid rather than the colours of long-rumoured destination Barcelona.

The Portuguese described City as “my family” in his farewell on the final day of last season, calling Pep Guardiola his “father of football” in an emotional send-off at the Etihad Stadium.

Mourinho’s role in the deal adds a layer of intrigue, with the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss having long admired Silva and now handing him a leading role in his rebuild in the Spanish capital.

City, meanwhile, continue their own midfield restructuring in Silva’s absence, with the pursuit of Elliot Anderson central to director of football Hugo Viana‘s plans for filling the void the Portuguese leaves behind.