“He didn’t tell me” - Pep Guardiola makes worrying admission on Bernardo Silva’s future after Villarreal triumph

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was quizzed about Bernardo Silva’s future at the club after the midfielder scored in a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Tuesday evening.

City took another step towards the UEFA Champions League play-offs with three points over Villarreal at Estadi de la Ceràmica as goals from Erling Haaland and Silva secured all three points for the 2023 winners of the competition.

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Haaland put City ahead early on and Silva headed in brilliantly from Savinho’s cross to put the tie to bed ahead of the interval – underscoring the form Manchester City have illustrated since the September resurgence.

Manchester City are undergoing a period of transition following a major rehash of the first-team squad in the summer, with newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana conducting a thorough audit of Guardiola’s ranks and offloading several senior stars.

City made seven new signings between early June and the final day of the window in September as they rebuild a new-look side to challenge for major trophies in the backdrop of a disappointing 2024-25 season wherein they failed to live up to expectations.

Guardiola handed the Manchester City armband to Silva after Kyle Walker’s exit to Burnley, though there remain huge question marks over the future of the 31-year-old as he progresses deeper into the final year of his current deal – with no indications of an extension at present.

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It is standard for executives at the Etihad Stadium to monitor a 30+ player’s form and fitness as they approach the end of their contract – to then make an informed decision on a potential renewal offer – as was the case with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne in 2023 and 2025 respectively.

Silva has attracted strong interest from Portugal, with Benfica presidential candidate João Noronha Lopes aspiring to bring the six-time Premier League winner back to his boyhood club in a strong election campaign message.

Speaking prior to Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League at the start of the month, Silva went so far to admit that he has made up his mind on his club future but did not disclose what that decision will be.

Silva can formally negotiate a pre-contract offer with interested parties from January 1, 2026 amidst strong interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and across Europe in the former AS Monaco man, who could be set to follow De Bruyne and Gundogan through the Manchester City exit door next summer.

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Quizzed on his skipper’s Manchester City future after Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Villarreal, Guardiola said: “He didn’t tell me, no. He’s my captain, we love each other so much, but he didn’t tell me.”

Well, that’s neither here nor there. However, a final consensus on Silva’s future – if an internal decision has been made – is not expected to be made public until the spring of 2026, with De Bruyne – for example – announcing his exit on social media in March – a few months before the end of the 2024-25 season.

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