ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
Manchester City are ready to double Bernardo Silva’s wages in an effort to keep him at the Ethiad.
The Portuguese star has been a leading light for the defending champions so far this term and could be rewarded with a new deal worth £300k-a-week.
Bernardo, who moved to City back in 2017, was linked with the exit door in the summer.
The £100m arrival of Jack Grealish was set to hamper his involvement and the player had his sights set on pastures new.
Whilst Grealish has been a regular since arriving from Aston Villa, Bernardo has not suffered.
The former Monaco man has scored seven Premier League goals so far, more than any of his teammates, and had a huge influence on games.
As a result, the Sun reports, that Guardiola now wants to make him one of the club’s top earners.
A 300k-a-week pay packet would see him draw level with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.
Bernardo currently has four years left on his deal in Manchester, but the champions are keen to keep him at least until then.
Back in the summer, Guardiola was not naive to the possibility of the 27-year-old leaving the club.
“All I want is for Bernardo to be happy, here or anywhere. All I want is his happiness because he’s a guy that deserves the best,” he said in September.
A move to Barcelona was on the cards several summers ago, only for it to fall through, but the Portuguese star still had his sights set on leaving.
His attitude though has meant that such desires have never come across on the pitch and he’s remained vital for City.
Guardiola has not been shy in praising his star, claiming he was the best player back in 2019 and is, once again, their leading light.
“He was the best two or three seasons ago,” said the City boss.
“He was the best then too. You have to go back to when we won with 98 points, review the videos, you will see the same player like this right now.”
Bernardo has previously played out wide but this term has adopted more of a central role, which he prefers.
Since moving to the Etihad he has won three league titles and five domestic cups.
Across his City career Bernardo has played over 220 times, scoring 42 times and is on course this term for his best goal tally yet.
