Manchester City have completed the signing of Portugese playmaker Bernardo Silva from Monaco, the Premier League club announced on Friday.
Silva, 22, had arrived in Manchester on Thursday to undergo his medical ahead of the move. At the time of the announcement, details on the cost of the transfer or length of his contract have not yet been revealed, atlhough various media reports put the transfer fee in the region of €60 million (Dh 247.5m).
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“It feels great. To be honest I’m now at one of the best teams in the world. To be part of this club and to have this opportunity is great,” Silva told the Manchester City website.
“I’m very happy to be part of Manchester City’s team and I look forward to trying to do my best to help the team reach their goals.”
Silva’s signing would indicate that manager Pep Guardiola is shaping the future of a midfield where David Silva is 31, Fernandinho is 32 and the out-of-contract Yaya Toure is 34.
Silva, much like his namesake David, can play off either flank or in a more central role. He scored 11 goals as he helped Monaco win Ligue 1 and reach the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League, knocking City out in the last 16. The midfielder began his career at Benfica before moving to Monaco in 2014.
Guardiola praised Silva for being “intelligent and physically strong” before their Champions League tie and the former Benfica player set up Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal in the second leg at the Stade Louis II.
Silva said one of the main reasons he decided to join City was for the chance to work with Guardiola.
“If not the best coach in the world, he is one of the best,” Silva said. “Of course when you have the opportunity of being trained by Guardiola, you don’t say no.
“As we all know, what he did in Barcelona and Bayern Munich was amazing and we expect also here that he will win titles. It’s great to be working with him and to have this opportunity.”
City have also been linked with Silva’s Monaco teammate Benjamin Mendy as they look for a new left-back after Gael Clichy was released.
Guardiola has freed up spaces in his squad with Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Jesus Navas and Willy Caballero also leaving at the end of their contracts.
The quartet of players who were loaned out this season — Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri and Wilfried Bony — are also expected to be sold, along with out-of-favour winger Nolito.
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