Bayern Munich are interested in Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva.
The Portuguese maestro, 29, has a £50million buy-out clause in his Etihad contract, which still has two years to run. And big-spending Bayern are set to trigger that with a summer bid and test the resolve of City to keep Silva and, likewise, the playmaker’s desire to stay in Manchester.
Although the Bundesliga outfit have already grabbed French winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace – after matching his £60m release clause at Selhurst Park – they remain keen on Silva. New Bayern boss and ex-City skipper Vincent Kompany views his old team-mate, with his vast experience and versatility to operate across the midfield or further forward on the flanks, as a perfect addition for his major rebuild in Munich.
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Silva, a £43.5m signing from Monaco in July 2017, is still happy in England and seemingly in no hurry to exit. However, a fresh challenge in Germany with one of Europe’s elite clubs may appeal at this stage of his career.
While Bayern are unlikely to be the only ones chasing his signature, they definitely hold the edge currently. Barcelona have been long-term admirers but are struggling to raise the necessary cash, while Spanish rivals Real Madrid appear to have decided they have more pressing transfer priorities.
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The Saudis could also come into the equation, of course, but their chances of persuading Silva, a crucial part of Portugal’s on-going Euro bid, to head there any time soon would seem remote.
Silva has made 355 appearances for City in all competitions, scoring 67 goals. He has won the Champions League, six Premier League titles, the Club World Cup, two FA Cups and four League Cups during his time at the Etihad.