Bernardo Silva Breaks Silence on Potential Saudi Pro League Move, Snubbing Linkups – “I Would Be Lying to Myself”

The 2023 summer transfer window brought a lot of stars into the limelight, and Bernardo Silva was no exception. The Portuguese superstar’s future became a subject of discussion after being linked with a host of suitors, with Saudi Arabia being the preferred destination. But the player rejected it without any hesitation and now revealed what he ‘didn’t want to give up’.

European soccer had already lost a lot of talent, and the Portuguese attacker was yet another one to go. However, a deal with him couldn’t be established, and the reasons were finally revealed by the star. 

Bernardo Silva brings up ‘heat of playing’ in Europe while discussing his Saudi Pro League rejection

A lot of players were on the radar of Saudi Arabian soccer clubs, and Bernardo Silva was no exception. However, the player didn’t accept the reported lucrative offers, and here’s what he had to say about the same. While speaking with RTP, he said, “I would lie if I said I didn’t think (about the big-money offers from Saudi Arabia). What interested me was the heat of playing a UEFA Champions League semi-final, listening to the (Etihad) stadium going wild after scoring against (Real) Madrid in the semi-finals or when we won the final against Inter. I didn’t want to give up on that.”

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It’s clear that, despite receiving tempting financial offers, the attacking star chose to decline them. Perhaps his decision stemmed from his reluctance to forego the emotional thrill of the nail-biting European success relished under Pep Guardiola. On the other hand, the set piece specialist gave a huge blow to his suitors from Saudi and Spain too after signing a contract extension. But is there still a chance for his exit? 

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Can interested clubs still lure Silva away from Etihad? 

In recent summer transfer windows, Bernardo Silva has been on the lookout to part ways with Manchester City, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain being the interested parties. Despite the speculation, he opted to extend his contract with City until 2026. However, he signed the agreement to retain him under a condition.

The treble-winning club succeeded in persuading the 29-year-old to stay by incorporating a release clause that was upwards of $60 million, which can be triggered starting next summer. This provision could potentially facilitate an easier move for either Barcelona, PSG, or even a Saudi Arabian soccer club to secure his services. Certainly, time will answer all the questions surrounding Silva’s future. Any thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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