Bernardo Silva's Next Club: The Five Most Likely Destinations Revealed and Ranked

Manchester City assistant Pep Lijnders has confirmed that midfielder Bernardo Silva will depart the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

"Every great story eventually reaches its conclusion," said Lijnders, who stepped in for the suspended Pep Guardiola, following Saturday's commanding 4–0 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinal.

"I hope he makes the most of his final months — it's only six weeks — and that he gets the proper send-off he truly deserves."

Silva, who turns 32 in August, is among only five players to have logged more than 3,000 minutes across all competitions for City this season. He continues to be a key figure in Guardiola's setup but is reportedly eager for a fresh challenge after nine fruitful years at the Etihad.

Here are five possible destinations for Silva this coming summer.

5. Major League Soccer

The ever-growing ambitions of Major League Soccer have long been associated with a potential move for Silva, who could be presented with the opportunity to follow the footsteps of Son Heung-min, Thomas Müller, Antoine Griezmann, and of course Lionel Messi in bringing his talents stateside.

Much will hinge on Silva's personal ambitions. MLS is increasingly competitive but lacks the appeal of UEFA competition, which often proves too compelling for European players to walk away from. At 32, he may still feel he has several years left to savour Champions League football.

Additionally, Silva's potential earnings in MLS may be somewhat restricted, further diminishing the league's prospects of attracting him this summer.

4. Saudi Pro League

Portugal internationals Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, and Rúben Neves will no doubt have been bending Silva's ear about a switch to Saudi Arabia. Those behind the deals will be eager to add another high-profile name to their roster.

What the Saudi Pro League lacks in prestige, it more than compensates for in financial power. If money is the primary driver behind Silva's next move, no other league in the world can offer a more lucrative contract, and it is already evident that relocating to Saudi Arabia would not jeopardize his place in the Portugal national team setup.

However, committing to a long-term deal in the Middle East could affect his broader ambitions, and he may feel there is still time to sign one more contract in Europe before considering that path.

3. Juventus

Renowned for their expertise in free transfers, Juventus offer prestige, star power, and the opportunity to continue competing near the summit of one of Europe's top leagues, with a salary that would appropriately reflect his calibre.

If Silva is determined to keep competing at the elite level, a move to Juventus would likely hold considerable appeal — though it should be noted that the current Bianconeri are not the dominant force they once were. They are currently battling to secure Champions League qualification, having finished fourth last season and third in 2023–24.

Whether that is sufficient for Silva may well depend on what other options are on the table.

2. Benfica

On several occasions over recent years, Silva has spoken candidly about his wish to pull on the Benfica shirt again before hanging up his boots, previously acknowledging that his City contract had been a significant barrier to any such move.

That barrier no longer exists, and Benfica are understood to be eager to seize the opportunity for Silva to add to the mere 31 minutes he featured for his boyhood club before his breakthrough transfer to Monaco in 2014. No other club can replicate that sentimental pull.

Despite his public declarations, reports emerging from Portugal suggest Silva is not currently focused on a Benfica return, and is instead eyeing one final high-profile move before eventually winding down his career back home.

1. Barcelona

Barcelona are unlikely to be in a position to match the financial packages available elsewhere, but as one of the finest clubs in the world at present, they may not need to.

If Silva's priority is winning trophies at the highest level, a move to a perennial contender in both La Liga and the Champions League makes enormous sense — even if there is no glaring vacancy in Barcelona's current squad for him to slot into. Naturally, any exits from Hansi Flick's team could alter that picture.

Silva will likely have no shortage of options to weigh up. He could significantly enhance his earnings or fulfil a deeply personal dream elsewhere, but no club can rival Barcelona's assurance of elite-level competition. If that is his primary goal, the choice could be straightforward.