Bernardo Silva is ready to give his heart and lungs to Manchester City again after a summer move away failed to materialise.
The Portugal star has been the subject of strong interest from a number of clubs this year, with Catalan giants Barcelona most vocal about signing the player as part of their financial gamble to start winning trophies again. Having wanted to leave the Etihad last summer after a year of living in lockdown in Manchester, Bernardo was happier this time but still open to a move.
As he stopped to speak to reporters after the Forest match to confirm he was staying, he explained that wanting another challenge was no slight on the current situation. The transfer window ends with Bernardo grateful to Pep Guardiola and the club for respecting his wishes, and the club grateful to the player for taking it graciously when an offer that would have allowed him to leave without scuppering City's plans didn't arrive.
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"I'm from Portugal and my culture is a bit different from your culture off the pitch," he said. "I love Manchester and people are really nice here the way they have treated me in the streets, bars, restaurants — it is just a bit different from where I'm from and sometimes you want different things in your life.
"It's nothing to do with how nice the people are here and how good the football club is here, and how happy I am to be staying. It wasn't a tough decision because there were no offers.
"There was one offer from one team, no more than that, so it was quite easy for me and for the club because the only offer that came came quite late so for the club to find a replacement it wouldn't be easy. I'm very happy here as I said and I'm going to do my best.
"It's one of the top three clubs in the world right now probably so I couldn't be better here. It's a club I want to be at and I'm happy."
Bernardo has long been a fan favourite at City and was given a terrific reception at the height of Barcelona's interest when he came off the bench for his first Premier League minutes in the 4-0 win over Bournemouth last month. His song echoed around the Etihad for several minutes and has continued to be sung at subsequent games.
The 28-year-old was never under any illusion as to how he is regarded and also enjoys excellent relations with Guardiola and the rest of the squad, where he is one of the most popular members of the dressing room. Those bonds mean that there is no bitterness from any quarter around him seeking a move away and everyone can crack on as usual — as has been shown in the last week with his excellent performances against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
"The fans have always been there for me and from day one the support that they showed me was and is unbelievable and I'm very grateful for that," he said. "They know as well that as long as I'm here I'm going to give my 100 per cent for this club, for them and my teammates.
"There is a big mutual respect between [Guardiola and myself], I've learned so much from him and each day I keep learning. But not just him, the respect I have for my teammates, the fans and the club.
"I'm staying for this season and if I stay here two or three seasons [more] I'm always going to do my best for this club."
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