As Manchester City struggles to maintain the high standards of previous seasons, it seems the winds of change are starting to blow through the Etihad.
With long-serving players beginning to weigh up their futures, one fan favorite might be preparing for a sentimental homecoming.
Bernardo Silva Eyeing a Return to Benfica
According to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Bernardo Silva is seriously considering a move back to his roots — his boyhood club Benfica.
Although such a reunion had long been seen as a retirement dream, it now looks like Silva is ready to make it happen sooner rather than later.
Despite having one year left on his hefty £300,000-a-week contract, the 30-year-old is reportedly open to taking a significant pay cut to seal the deal with the Lisbon-based side.
For Silva, Benfica remains the top choice if he leaves City, even though Barcelona has occasionally been thrown into the mix.
Sources suggest that a move to Spain is far less likely at this stage.
De Bruyne’s Exit Signals a Larger Shift
This potential move follows the bombshell announcement from Kevin De Bruyne, who confirmed just last week that he’ll be leaving Manchester City in the summer after a remarkable ten-year stay.
The Belgian’s departure appears to have opened the door for other veteran stars to reassess their future at the club.
Manager Pep Guardiola himself hinted at this looming shift back in February, following City’s Champions League elimination by Real Madrid.
He admitted that the relentless schedule is becoming too much for some of his ageing squad members.
Pep Admits: The Team Is Struggling With the Pace
Speaking candidly, Guardiola stated that “We have to sit down with the doctors, the players, agents, and be clear that some of them can’t keep up with this tempo anymore.
“Playing every three days, juggling multiple competitions, traveling constantly — it’s taking a toll. The teams we face now are younger, faster, and stronger.”
It was an unusual moment of vulnerability from the normally steely Spaniard, and it painted a clearer picture of why some stars — like Silva — might be ready for a change of pace.
Silva’s Glittering City Career Nearing Its End?
Since his arrival from Monaco in 2017 for £43.5 million, Bernardo Silva has been an essential cog in Guardiola’s machine.
Across 396 appearances, he’s notched up 69 goals and 71 assists — helping deliver a staggering 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles and, of course, the historic Treble in 2023.
But with his 31st birthday on the horizon and physical demands intensifying, a summer departure could make sense for both the player and the club.
Letting him go now would also allow City to recoup some of the transfer fee, instead of losing him for free when his contract expires in 2026.
What’s the Smart Move for City?
If City waits until next January or later, they risk having less leverage in negotiations.
A summer sale, on the other hand, gives the club more control and could avoid a frantic scramble down the line.
As for Silva, a return to Benfica wouldn’t just be a homecoming — it might be the perfect place to ease into the latter years of a phenomenal career, while still playing at a high level.
So… What’s Next?
With De Bruyne already on his way out and Guardiola publicly acknowledging the limitations of his veteran players, all eyes are now on Bernardo Silva.
Whether he returns to Portugal or surprises everyone with a different choice, one thing’s clear — this summer could mark the end of an era for Manchester City.
Let’s see who follows next.