- Juventus make contact with Jorge Mendes over signing Bernardo Silva on a free transfer in June
- Manchester City captain has reportedly selected Barcelona as his preferred destination
- Silva’s exit was confirmed by assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders after 4-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool
Juventus have stepped up their pursuit of Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva by making contact with his agent Jorge Mendes, as per reports.
The 31-year-old is approaching the final weeks of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium and will leave as a free agent in June, bringing the curtain down on a nine-year stay in Manchester that has yielded six Premier League titles, a maiden UEFA Champions League trophy and a host of other honours.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed Silva’s departure as a certainty in recent weeks, with the Blues’ captain understood to have informed Manchester City officials of his final decision to end his association with the club this summer after years of expressing a desire to move closer to his homeland.
Bernardo Silva selects next club among Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain
His departure was subsequently confirmed publicly by assistant manager Pep Lijnders in the aftermath of City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool last weekend – drawing a line under any lingering hope that Bernardo Silva would extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Report: Juventus make contact with Jorge Mendes
As reported by Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have moved to formally register their interest in Silva by initiating contact with his agent Jorge Mendes as they look to bolster their midfield ranks ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The Serie A giants are understood to be attracted by the prospect of signing one of Europe’s most decorated midfielders on a free transfer, with Silva’s availability at no transfer cost to Manchester City representing exceptional value for a player of his calibre.
Where is Silva likely to end up?
Despite Juventus’ approach, reports have indicated that Silva’s preferred destination is Barcelona, where he would reunite with former Manchester City teammate and compatriot Joao Cancelo. Paris Saint-Germain are also understood to be monitoring the situation closely.
The Portugal international joined City from AS Monaco for £43 million in 2017 and has since established himself as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, making the Ballon d’Or shortlist on multiple occasions and playing a pivotal role in the club’s historic 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.
The prospect of landing Silva on a free transfer is likely to attract further interest from Europe’s elite clubs in the coming weeks, with Juventus’ move representing the opening salvo in what promises to be a competitive pursuit for the outgoing City skipper’s signature.
12 Manchester City players could leave the Etihad Stadium in major summer clear-out
Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana and co, for their part, will now focus their energies on recruiting a replacement as the summer rebuild gathers pace.
