Pep Guardiola has given another calm but emotional take on Bernardo Silva’s situation as the midfielder moves toward the final stretch of his Manchester City contract, which ends in June 2026. SoftFootball has closely followed Silva’s journey, recently highlighting his climb on the club’s historic scoring list.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the Leeds match, Guardiola said in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account that he will always want Bernardo to stay, though the final call belongs to the player and the club.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Pep Guardiola on Bernardo Silva out of contract in June 2026: I want the best for Bernardo, and if he wants to stay at City I will be more than delighted and happy.
I want the best for him. He spent 9 years here, at the end he will decide with the club what is the best.
Guardiola explained that he avoids pressing Silva on personal matters, saying it’s healthier that way. He noted that the player has given nine years of service already, and at the end he will decide what fits his future.
SoftFootball also covered Silva’s earlier comments about not stressing over contract talks. Guardiola seemed quite relaxed, but you could sense a bit of uncertainty too.
Bernardo’s contract situation has created a mix of hope and worry among fans. After signing a short extension in 2023, he entered this season with no active renewal talks, and several rumours even suggested that he could leave for free next summer.
The idea of him returning to Benfica has never really gone away. PSG are still watching him, especially with their long-term rebuild happening, and clubs in Saudi Arabia have made big-money offers before, with wages around £500,000 per week being mentioned. If a move comes before his deal expires, City would likely want at least around €75 million.
Silva himself hinted months ago that he already knows what he will choose but said it was not the right moment to reveal anything. He insisted his focus is on helping City get back to their best and supporting younger players who look up to him.
Guardiola shares that respect, saying he will never force the player’s hand. After almost a decade together, both seem to trust each other enough to let things flow naturally, even if the outcome is still a bit cloudy.
