Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva has received a 'lucrative opportunity' to join the Saudi Pro League, according to a report.
The 28-year-old has been a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine over the last six seasons, contributing with 55 goals and 59 assists in 306 appearances across all tournaments since joining from Monaco in 2017.
Bernardo has won a total of 14 trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium and was an important member of the Citizens squad that won a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 2022-23.
However, the Portugal international is believed to be keen to seek pastures new and has reportedly informed Man City of his desire to leave the club this summer.
Barcelona have been strongly linked with a move to sign Bernardo, but their well-documented financial problems are preventing them from pursuing a deal for the playmaker, who is said to be valued by City in excess of £75m.
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Paris Saint-Germain have since emerged as a potential destination for the Portuguese, with the French champions identifying City's No.20 as a possible replacement for Inter Miami-bound Lionel Messi.
However, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, clubs in Saudi Arabia have joined the race for Bernardo's signature, with talks said to have taken place with the player's agent Jorge Mendes and "financial numbers" have been discussed.
Ornstein adds that it remains unclear as to whether Bernardo has received a formal offer, but the expectation is that the playmaker will turn down a big-money move to the Middle East in favour of remaining in Europe.
Bernardo was recently questioned about his future at Man City during an interview with Eleven Sports, and said: "I'll be very honest, I don't know. We'll see in the next few days. Even if I knew, it wouldn't be the space to talk about it [on international duty]".
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A notable influx of top overseas players to the Middle East is taking place this summer, with Saudi Arabian quartet Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr now all controlled by the nation's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Bernardo's Portuguese international teammate Ruben Neves in on the verge of completing a £47m move from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Al-Hilal, and is understood to have already completed his medical.
Real Betis and Portugal midfielder William Carvalho is reportedly close to finalising a deal to join Al-Nassr, who recruited compatriot and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in January following his exit from Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have already completed the signing of Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema and are also close to luring fellow Frenchman N'Golo Kante from Chelsea, who are in talks to sell Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly to Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal respectively.
Oliver Thomas
