Signing a central midfielder is one of Real’s top transfer priorities for the summer, but the club is specifically seeking a defensively minded holding midfielder rather than Silva. His City teammate Rodri is said to be Real’s preferred target, though he would command a considerable fee, and the Spaniard still has a year left on his Manchester contract.
Silva’s next destination is still undecided: Juventus are persistently linked, while a romantic return to his youth club Benfica keeps surfacing.
Silva joined City from AS Monaco in 2017 for €50 million and has since anchored the side’s midfield, helping secure the 2023 Champions League and six Premier League crowns. This term he has started 47 matches across all competitions, contributing three goals and five assists.
Silva would love to bow out with two more trophies: City have already secured the EFL Cup and, after briefly usurping Arsenal at the Premier League summit, sit three points behind the Gunners following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle. In the FA Cup, Guardiola’s side reached the final with a 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.