'I want to return to Benfica' - Bernardo Silva reveals Man City exit plan as talk of homecoming transfer to Estadio da Luz intensifies

Silva has spoken of his desire to return to Portugal, but admits that he cannot do so until his City contract expires because he is too valuable to the treble winners, so would be out of Benfica's price range. The Portuguese club's record transfer stands at €44m (£38m) for Enzo Fernandez, and the attacking midfielder knows he would cost more than that.

Asked about a return to Benfica by A Bola, as rumours continue to swirl, Silva gave a detailed response: "I've never hidden that one day I want to go back, so of course I do. Now, we'll see over time what's possible and it's not worth talking about this all the time, because people get tired... Let's see."

Silva also admits that he is "tired" of answering the question, adding: "You can, now there are contractual issues that have to be respected and... you have to live the reality, that Portuguese football at a financial level cannot compete with English, Spanish or even German and French clubs, therefore... For example, even if I I wanted to go to Benfica at the moment it was totally impossible because Manchester City is asking for a lot of money for a transfer for me. In the last four or five years I have been a player valued at over 50 million euros and it is impossible for a Portuguese club to pay that kind of value. People have to be a little realistic."

Silva made his breakthrough with Benfica, having joined their academy in 2002, at the age of eight. He went on to make just three senior appearances, however, and quickly joined Monaco on loan, in 2014, before that move was made permanent. He subsequently joined City in 2017 and has since made 328 appearances for the European champions.

Bernardo's contract expires in 2026 so he will be with City for a little while yet, as he seems completely aware of his own value. It remains to be seen if Benfica will make an attempt to sign him before his deal expires, but it seems unlikely, given the Portugal international's rationale.