Manchester City and Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva turned down lucrative Saudi offers in the summer to stay put at Manchester City.
Since Pep Guardiola took over the Etihad club as new manager, City saw a mass exodus of key players in the summer.
Riyad Mahrez left to Al Ahly in Saudi Arabia after struggling to find his place in the squad. Former captain IIkay Gundogan also exited the Manchester club in another big departure. The former Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfield sensation refused a contract extension with City despite leading the team to their first European crown. Gundogan joined Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona as a free agent on a two-year deal.
Aymeric Laporte also left the club joining his former teammate Mahrez to the burgeoning Saudi Pro League.
Bernardo Silva was linked to the flurry of mass exits that was rocking Etihad in the summer. Saudi clubs tabled a lucrative contract offer for the Portuguese star.
It was thought the 29-year-old will join his former teammates with the riches of the Gulf State on the table but Silva turned down the move.
However, the Benfica prodigy has admitted he was nearly tempted by the offer but have to take the hard decision to stay put with Manchester City after careful consideration.
According to him, he wanted to continue playing Champions League football and continue winning domestic and continental trophies for Manchester City.
“It would be a lie to say I didn’t think about it.
“But I want to play in the Champions League semi-finals, score against Real Madrid, win the Champions League, I don’t want to give up on that," Silva said.
Bernardo Silva made 13 Champions League appearances for Manchester City last season, featuring in all matches as the Cityzens finally overcame Europe
He scored 3 goals and was key to Pep Guardiola's squad throughout the season, making 34 Premier League appearances as well.
Since Pep Guardiola took over the Etihad club as new manager, City saw a mass exodus of key players in the summer.
Riyad Mahrez left to Al Ahly in Saudi Arabia after struggling to find his place in the squad. Former captain IIkay Gundogan also exited the Manchester club in another big departure. The former Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfield sensation refused a contract extension with City despite leading the team to their first European crown. Gundogan joined Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona as a free agent on a two-year deal.
Aymeric Laporte also left the club joining his former teammate Mahrez to the burgeoning Saudi Pro League.
Bernardo Silva was linked to the flurry of mass exits that was rocking Etihad in the summer. Saudi clubs tabled a lucrative contract offer for the Portuguese star.
It was thought the 29-year-old will join his former teammates with the riches of the Gulf State on the table but Silva turned down the move.
However, the Benfica prodigy has admitted he was nearly tempted by the offer but have to take the hard decision to stay put with Manchester City after careful consideration.
According to him, he wanted to continue playing Champions League football and continue winning domestic and continental trophies for Manchester City.
“It would be a lie to say I didn’t think about it.
“But I want to play in the Champions League semi-finals, score against Real Madrid, win the Champions League, I don’t want to give up on that," Silva said.
Bernardo Silva made 13 Champions League appearances for Manchester City last season, featuring in all matches as the Cityzens finally overcame Europe
He scored 3 goals and was key to Pep Guardiola's squad throughout the season, making 34 Premier League appearances as well.