MANCHESTER CITY star Bernardo Silva has begun talks over extending his deal with the club in a dramatic twist after wanting out last summer.
The Portuguese midfielder, 27, was the star of the show in City’s 5-0 Champions League hammering of Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, scoring twice.
His first goal, Man City’s second of the game, was a sensational volley that even led to Sporting fans clapping the strike.
After struggling for minutes last season, Silva asked to leave last summer.
But so far this campaign he has been one of Pep Guardiola’s best players, helping them gain a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table over Liverpool in second.
Speaking after the Sporting game, Guardiola was full of praise for the Bernardo, saying: “I hope he stays at Man City for many years.”
Talks over a new contract are now ongoing and according to Guardiola, ‘Bernardo and the club will decide together’ whether he stays or not.
If game-time was the issue for him, things have now changed, with him featuring 33 times so far this season.
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During the 2020-21 campaign, Silva played 45 times managing just five goals and nine assists in all competitions.
It was a disappointing return for a player who was named in the PFA Team of the Year a season earlier, as he helped Man City win the league title.
However, in comparison to this season, Silva has already doubled his goal tally with ten.
Bernardo has also played the full 90 minutes in all but five of their Premier League matches.
With City aiming to clinch their first-ever Champions League trophy, Bernardo is set to be a key man despite plenty of competition for places from the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish.
In an interview with Sky Sports in November, the Portugal international said, “I’m feeling happy right now. I love the club, I’ve always loved the club.”
But he did not rule out leaving the club and is believed to be keen on a return to his home-town club of Benfica, where he began his career.
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