Bernardo Silva decides to leave Manchester City, identifies 'priority' next club: Reports

Manchester City's FA Cup hero Bernardo Silva has reportedly decided to leave the club and is prioritizing a move to La Liga giants Barcelona.

Catalunya Radio (via Spanish outlet AS and TEAMTalk) reports that Silva has opted to leave the Etihad this summer. The Portuguese playmaker has been with the Cityzens for seven years but appears to want to try a new experience.

That may be with Barca as the Catalan giants are long-term admirers. The 29-year-old has a £50 million release clause in his contract which becomes active this summer.

Bernardo Silva was linked with a move to the Blaugrana last summer but a move never materialized. Barca president Joan Laporta gave a glowing verdict of the Portugal international, who he claims he missed out on in 2015.

The former AS Monaco playmaker signed a new one-year extension with Manchester City in September. But, he has family in Barcelona and views the La Liga giants as his top priority.

This may rule Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain out of the race. PSG are also keeping tabs and joined the Catalans in pursuing Silva last summer.

Pep Guardiola celebrated with Silva after he scored the winner in City's 1-0 FA Cup semifinal win against Chelsea on Saturday (April 20). The Spanish coach could lose his silky attacker this summer who's managed 11 goals and five assists in 42 games across competitions.

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Ilkay Gundogan hinted he wanted Manchester City's Bernardo Silva to join him at Barcelona

Ilkay Gundogan could reunite with Bernardo Silva.

lkay Gundogan left Manchester City last summer when his contract expired. The German midfielder joined Barca as a free agent and has been vital for Xavi this season.

The 33-year-old spent the majority of his time at the Etihad playing alongside Bernardo Silva. The pair won many trophies together including the continental treble last season.

Gundogan was asked about Silva's links to Barca after his own arrival at Camp Nou. He said (via Manchester Evening News):

"He is an incredible player, I think he has many qualities to be a high-level player but he has a contract with City, so I can say little."

Bernardo Silva is regarded as one of the finest creative talents in European football. He's starred for Manchester City ever since arriving in July 2017 and has been instrumental in Guardiola's dominant era.

The Portuguese ace could be enticed to try out La Liga football at this stage of his career. He's won every trophy on offer at City including five Premier League titles.