Bernardo Silva has offered the truth to Manchester City supporters on a summer of uncertainty surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium.
The Portuguese midfielder had been linked with moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain but boss Pep Guardiola was steadfast in his desire to keep the player at the club.
At some stages of the summer transfer window, it almost seemed certain that come the start of September, Bernardo Silva would be plying his trade in Spain.
However, with the various financial struggles at the Camp Nou, and Manchester City’s firm stance on a transfer valuation, a deal seemed more and more unlikely with each passing day.
Speaking this week after the club’s 6-0 rout of newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, Bernardo Silva said an offer did come in for him late in the transfer window, but is content staying at the Etihad Stadium.
“I spoke with the club and I’m staying. I’m happy here (at Manchester City) and I will do my best,” the former AS Monaco star opened.
“In the last five seasons we have won four Premier Leagues and got to the final of the Champions League. It’s one of the top three clubs in the world right now probably so I couldn’t be better here. It’s a club I want to be at and I’m happy.
“It wasn’t a tough decision because there were no offers. There was one offer from one team, no more than that, so it was quite easy for me and for the club because the only offer that came came quite late so for the club to find a replacement it wouldn’t be easy.
“I’m very happy here as I said and I’m going to do my best. Here is a big mutual respect between me and Pep, I’ve learned so much from him and each day I keep learning. But not just him, the respect I have for my team-mates, the fans and the club.
“I’m staying for this season and if I stay here two or three seasons I’m always going to do my best for this club.”
Bernardo Silva went on to discuss the cultural differences between life in Manchester, and life back in his home country of Portugal, while also stressing his love for the north-west city and the lifestyle that comes with it.
“I’m from Portugal and my culture is a bit different from your culture off the pitch,” he said. “I love Manchester and people are really nice here the way they have treated me in the streets, bars, restaurants — it is just a bit different from where I’m from and sometimes you want different things in your life.
“It’s nothing to do with how nice the people are here and how good the football club is here, and how happy I am to be staying. It wasn’t a tough decision because there were no offers.
Manchester City will be overjoyed with retaining the services of Bernardo Silva for the ongoing season, as they go in search of a third consecutive Premier League title, as well as a first ever Champions League crown to their name.
