Galatasaray identify Manchester City midfielder as replacement for Dries Mertens | OneFootball

A new report has claimed that one of Manchester City’s longest-standing and most successful players has emerged as a transfer target for Galatasaray.

That concerns the future of Bernardo Silva, who has long been linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium amid desires to move to warmer shores and over to a culture more similar to his home country of Portugal.

Barcelona or Real Madrid have been tipped as the most likely destinations for the midfielder, but financial complications regarding a move have largely hindered interest from developing, particularly in the case of the former.

Now, with Bernardo Silva heading deeper into his twilight years in football, his options are starting to dwindle and reduce in standard, particularly when it comes to certain clubs’ ranking in European football.

Earlier this summer, it was claimed that the player could be interested in an emotional return to his boyhood club in Portugal, with Benfica said to be interested in the idea of a reunion themselves.

There has been very little in the way of developments on that front, and the latest line of reporting links Bernardo Silva with a move further afield into the continent, and ties to the Turkish game.

That is according to the information of Turkish outlet Sabah, who report that Galatasaray have ‘made contact’ with Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva through agents, wanting the Portugal international to replace Dries Mertens from next season.

The 30-year-old has been viewed as a player that may be deemed surplus to requirements by Manchester City officials this summer, particularly at a point in the club’s development when changes are needed following a difficult season.

The age profile of some players has been an issue for some when debating what needs to be done within the squad to get Pep Guardiola’s side back challenging at the very top of the European game.

Bernardo Silva himself has touched upon this particular subject during a recent television interview, when he insisted that while the next generation is likely needed, the more experienced names still have ‘a lot to give’.

“After a bad season it’s always easy to overthink, but I’d say rebuilding sometimes is part of it and it’s happened in the past, and it will have to happen with this next generation as well,” Silva told ITV Sport last month.

“Hopefully the young guys keep performing at the same level we did in the past,” he continued. “For now, let’s just say I still think we have a lot to give, that’s my feeling. Maybe I’m wrong. Next season will tell.”