Pep Lijnders confirms Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City this summer | OneFootball

Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders has confirmed that Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer. 

Silva’s contract at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the season, and the club will not renew his deal. 

Lijnders was on media duty after City’s FA Cup quarter-final victory against Liverpool with manager Pep Guardiola serving a touchline ban. 

He praised Silva as a ‘unique player’ but said he will leave the club. 

He said (as per BBC Sport): “Every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell.

“He deserves all that attention as well.”

Silva joined City from Monaco for £61 million in 2017. 

He has made 450 appearances across all competitions, bagging 76 goals and 77 assists. 

The Portuguese has helped his club win six Premier League titles and the Champions League.  

Despite his age, Silva still has plenty to offer at the top level of football. He has made 43 appearances across all competitions this season, with 30 coming in the Premier League.  

The 31-year-old is highly rated for his versatility, technical ability and relentless work-rate. 

Silva could join La Liga leaders Barcelona or Serie A side Juventus. They are interested in signing him. 

A return to Benfica, where he started his football career, could also be appealing for the Portugal international.

However, he would have to take a significant pay cut to move back to his home country. Playing in Saudi Arabia is another option, where he would earn a huge salary. 

Stats from Transfermarkt.