Juventus plot sensational 2026 swoop for Manchester City star amid contract doubts | OneFootball

Bernardo Silva is attracting interest from Turin as he progresses into the final year of his current Manchester City contract, as per a new report.

The 31-year-old is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium next summer, having been appointed club captain by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for the 2025-26 campaign following the departures of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan.

Silva joined Manchester City from AS Monaco for £43 million in 2017 and has played an integral role in the Blues’ dominance of English football over the years – as well as their maiden UEFA Champions League title win in 2023.

The Portugal international has held a desire to leave England and move closer to his homeland since 2020, with Barcelona holding a long-standing interest in the playmaker but a transfer failing to materialise owing to the Spanish club’s financial restraints and Manchester City’s valuation for Silva not being met.

As club officials did with De Bruyne last summer, Silva has been allowed to enter the final year of his current deal and his continued importance in a new-look dressing room needs no stating given he has been trusted with the armband amid a tumultuous period of transition at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have typically refrained from allowing key players to enter the final year of their deals at the club to avoid the risk of losing them for nothing at the end of their contracts. There does remain hope within the fanbase that the Portuguese may put pen to paper and extend what would be a nine-year stay in Manchester for Silva by next summer.

City have bolstered their midfield with the additions of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki this summer but Silva’s versatility and football IQ – qualities that have set him apart from the rest of the squad in Guardiola’s eyes since his arrival from France – mean that minutes will not be difficult to come by for the six-time Premier League winner this season.

Moreover, Manchester City need as many leaders in a dressing room that has witnessed significant upheaval in the form of major outgoings in recent months, particularly given the stuttering start made by the Blues to their 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

As reported on Juventibus’ live Twitch broadcast this week and relayed by Juve Live, Juventus are weighing up a possible swoop for Silva when his contract at Manchester City runs out in 2026.

Silva is understood to be earning around €10 million-per-year at the Etihad Stadium, with the report indicating that Manchester City bosses will look to reduce that figure if and when contract renewal talks are tabled – owing to Silva’s age.

Napoli and AC Milan have also expressed an interest in the Manchester City midfielder, who could be tempted by the prospect of joining forces with former teammate and friend Kevin De Bruyne in Naples should Antonio Conte pursue his signature next summer.

Silva remains a vital figure in the Manchester City dressing room and alongside Phil Foden and John Stones, he is one of the longest-serving players at the Etihad Stadium and a player who Guardiola stated would remain with him throughout his managerial spell with the club.