Bernardo Silva looks set to close an iconic chapter at Manchester City, with reports suggesting that the Portuguese playmaker has “already made his mind up” about leaving the Etihad at the end of the current season.

According to GiveMeSport, the 30-year-old believes the time has come for a new challenge after seven highly successful years in Manchester.

Saudi millions or Lisbon homecoming?

Silva’s next destination remains open, but two very different paths are on the table.

On one hand, Saudi clubs are preparing to reignite their pursuit of the midfielder, with Al Ahli and Al Qadsiah leading the chase.

Talks first began in 2023 when Silva was offered a staggering £500,000-per-week deal — an offer he declined at the time but has since remained on the table.

However, there’s also the sentimental appeal of returning home. A move back to Benfica, his boyhood club, is firmly under consideration.

With Jose Mourinho now at the helm in Lisbon, Silva is said to be “open to that possibility,” according to the same report.

The twist lies in Mourinho’s own future, as the veteran manager reportedly has a one-year break clause that could see him leave for another challenge — possibly the Portugal national team.

The Portugal connection

The next 18 months could have a major impact on Silva’s decision. National team manager Roberto Martínez is widely expected to step down after the 2026 World Cup, and Mourinho has long been viewed as the natural successor.

Should that happen, joining Benfica could serve as both a homecoming and a political bridge to Silva’s future international ambitions.

It would also allow him to return to a slower-paced league while maintaining top-level competition under a coach he greatly respects.

End of an era at Manchester City

If Silva does move on, it will mark the end of one of the most successful spells in Manchester City’s modern history.

Since joining from Monaco for £60 million in 2017, the Portuguese midfielder has been central to Pep Guardiola’s dominance in English football — winning six Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and the club’s first-ever Champions League.

Silva’s versatility, work rate, and creativity have made him irreplaceable in Guardiola’s system, often shifting between midfield and attack with seamless control.

His departure would not only create a tactical void but also an emotional one within the dressing room.

City’s succession plan

Manchester City have handled the exits of key players before — from Vincent Kompany and David Silva to Ilkay Gündogan — but replacing Bernardo’s unique influence will be no small task.

Phil Foden could take on more responsibility in central areas, while City may look toward the market for another creative midfielder.

Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: Bernardo Silva’s time at Manchester City will be remembered as one of brilliance, consistency, and understated leadership.

As the summer of 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on whether he chooses the bright lights of Saudi Arabia or the romance of a Lisbon homecoming.