Incoming Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has Bernardo Silva as his preferred new signing as soon as he takes over the reins at the Bernabeu according to AS, which cited anonymous sources.
Silva is a free agent after June 30, which is when his Manchester City contract expires.
Joining the Premier League giants in 2017, the 31-year-old enjoyed nine highly successful years at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola, lifting six English top flight crowns together and the Champions League in 2023 as part of a treble.
Silva has been heavily linked to Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona, but he has now become a priority for Mourinho after previously being offered but turned down by Madrid a couple of months ago.
Above all, Mourinho values his compatriot’s leadership and committment, not just on the pitch but also in the dressing room.
Something that could also help a potential free transfer – in addition to there being no fee or negotiations with City – is the fact that Silva and Mourinho are both represented by Jorge Mendes.
Mourinho taking over at Real Madrid is just a matter of time
Announced by Florentino Perez as the president attempted to win re-election, Mourinho should be confirmed swiftly in the near future as Real Madrid’s next manager.
Perez beat Enrique Riquelme at the polls on Sunday, and has already dismissed Alvaro Arbeloa.
Furthermore, Mourinho has bid farewell to Benfica while the Lisbon giants have done likewise with their country’s most successful manager.
We’ve already seen reports that Mourinho was left “very upset” by Madrid bidding $175 million for Julian Alvarez, as he doesn’t believe he fits in his side.
Yet Silva is a different type of player, who plays further back. At FC Barcelona, he would face competition from Lamine Yamal for the right wing. Centrally, he would’ve most probably competed for the CAM role with Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, or Gavi, Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong for the right to partner Pedri.
At Real Madrid, however, those central roles are up for grabs but so too is the right flank. With Rodrygo injured, no single player has made it their own amid Endrick being sent out on loan and Franco Mastantuono failing to gel.