Manchester City plot crunch talks with Bernardo Silva over Etihad future

Manchester City are expected to sit down with Bernardo Silva for crunch talks over his Etihad Stadium future.

The Portugal international was subject to high-profile interest from Barcelona over the course of the past summer.

Interest from the Spanish giants came as a direct result of Bernardo Silva indicating a desire to leave Manchester City, but only on the terms of the Premier League champions.

With City officials seeking a fee north of £80 million for the player, Barcelona struggled to finance any deal.

As such, the former AS Monaco star remained at the Etihad Stadium for another season, and is understood to be solely focussed on the task at hand with Pep Guardiola's squad this campaign.

While news of Bernardo Silva remaining at Manchester City for another season will undoubtedly have been welcomed by all those associated, officials at the City Football Academy are now desperate to establish the longer-term future of the player.

While the Portuguese star has two-and-a-half years remaining on his existing contract, Manchester City are well aware that a renewed deal will not only put doubts to rest, but also retain his true market value for a longer period of time.

As such, talks between the relevant parties are being planned, as Etihad officials look to understand where Bernardo Silva's thinking belongs beyond the ongoing season.

According to various reliable sources, including Chris Bailey of The National, Manchester City are now ready to sit down with Bernardo Silva to discuss his future.

It is understood that those in charge at the Premier League champions will make it abundantly clear to the player that they want him to stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Further reporting from Jack Gaughan of The Mail reveals however that Manchester City would not stand in Bernardo Silva's way, if he still wanted to leave and they received an offer of more than £80 million.

While speculation surrounding Bernardo Silva during the most recent summer transfer window was rife, The National reveals that Manchester City are adamant that no club approached them and no one called.

Instead, the report continues, officials were left to read reports like everyone else.

For now though, Manchester City will have their focus firmly on a hectic October fixture schedule.

The final international break before the 2022 World Cup came to an end earlier this week, with Pep Guardiola's side returning to English top-flight action on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United are the visitors this weekend, as City look to continue their dominant and unbeaten start to the new season.