Manchester City will have to stave off mega-money interest from Saudi Arabia if they are to hang on to Bernardo Silva this summer.
The treble-winner has been linked with a move away after winning the Champions League, with Barcelona remaining in the conversation. That is a move the Portuguese star has hoped to make in previous summers, without it coming to fruition. However, Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal now appear primed to blow any other bidders out of the water.
Bernardo's Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is already playing his club football in Saudi Arabia, while Ruben Neves is close to making a switch of his own. With a reported £75m-per-year on the table, the reigning Premier League champion will have a decision to make.
According to The Mail, Al Hilal have the budget to offer Bernardo upwards of £75m per season if they so choose. This would come on top of a hefty transfer fee, with Pep Guardiola's side holding out for £70m to let one of their most important players depart.
The 28-year-old has also been linked with a Paris Saint-Germain move as he prepares to potentially leave England. Barcelona's interest, meanwhile, will depend on their financial situation.
Barca are thought to need to sell before they can buy. They are ready to welcome Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer, but signings for a fee - particularly a big fee - are much more of a challenge.
Should Bernardo Silva move to Saudi Arabia? Have your say in the comments section
Al Hilal finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, with a transfer ban preventing them from making new additions, as Riyadh rivals Al Nassr landed Ronaldo. This ban has now been lifted, though, and they're attempting to make major moves ahead of the new season, following fresh backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Neves will be their first signing, with a £47m move agreed. They also attempted to land Lionel Messi, only for the World Cup winner to opt for a move to Inter Miami.
Al Hilal are also without a manager, and reports suggest they are prepared to also raid the Premier League in that department. i News reports that Fulham boss Marco Silva has received a lucrative proposal from the club as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage.
If Bernardo Silva does join Al Hilal, it would be just the latest deal in what looks like being a busy summer for Manchester City. The departure of captain Gundogan has already left them primed to make further signings, and this could add to that requirement.
One man who is on his way to the Etihad Stadium is Mateo Kovacic, with the Chelsea midfielder on the verge of completing a move worth £25m plus add-ons. City also remain in the hunt for Declan Rice, and are prepared to rival Arsenal for the £100m-rated England midfielder.
