Despite being available on a free transfer, Real Madrid have apparently rejected the chance to sign the midfield legend

Real Madrid CF v Deportivo Alaves - LaLiga EA Sports

Could Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva be heading to Real Madrid this summer?

According to a report in the Spanish newspaper *As*, Jorge Mendes has offered his client, Silva, to Real Madrid.

According to the report, Silva intends to continue playing at the very highest level following his confirmed departure from City at the end of the season. Real Madrid is said to be one of the clubs that Mendes is currently trying to persuade to sign the 31-year-old.

His vast experience and continued high level of performance are appealing, and the fact that his contract with City expires at the end of June—making him available on a free transfer—only strengthens his case. Real’s arch-rivals FC Barcelona have also recently been linked with the Portuguese international.

However, according to As, Real see no need to sign Silva. The Spanish newspaper reports that while the club admires his abilities, he does not fit the profile they have in mind for the upcoming transfer window. As a result, Mendes is said to have received an immediate rejection from Real.

Manchester City v Everton - Premier League

Is Real Madrid set to sign Rodri rather than Bernardo Silva?

Signing a central midfielder is one of Real’s top transfer priorities for the summer, but the club is specifically seeking a defensively minded holding midfielder rather than Silva. His City teammate Rodri is said to be their preferred target, though he would command a considerable fee, and the Spaniard still has a year left on his Manchester contract.

Silva’s next destination remains uncertain. Juventus Turin are reported to be strongly interested in the Portuguese, while a romantic return to his youth club Benfica is frequently discussed.

Silva joined City from AS Monaco in 2017 for €50 million and has since anchored the side’s midfield during a trophy-laden spell that includes the 2023 Champions League and six Premier League crowns. This term the captain has started 47 matches across all competitions, contributing three goals and five assists.

Silva would love to depart with two more trophies: City have already secured the EFL Cup and currently lead Arsenal in the Premier League, though Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle briefly returned the Gunners to the summit, three points clear with one game in hand. In the FA Cup, Guardiola’s side reached the final with a 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.

Bernardo Silva: His statistics at Manchester City