Man City star tipped to leave club in January to join Pep Guardiola rival

Dorothy Howard

Man City star tipped to leave club in January to join Pep Guardiola rival image

Manchester City have been dealing with rumors of Erling Haaland leaving the club, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona said to have an interest in the Norwegian star. 

There are likely to be players leaving in the coming transfer windows, but Haaland is poised to stay with the Mancunian club despite the rumors. 

Another star could be on the move, though, with Bernardo Silva's contract expiring in the summer. 

The Portuguese star was linked with a move away over the summer, but Pep Guardiola eventually made the veteran player his captain. 

Silva will be free to negotiate with other clubs in January, and the star is being sought out by one club. 

Which club wants Bernardo Silva?

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In a new interview with Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes claimed that Silva wants to join the Portuguese club. 

Lopes said, "He is a great player, one of Benfica’s biggest talents, and he wants to come to Benfica, and I'll do everything possible.

I'm perfectly convinced that this will happen. In January? I have a pending contract; he has a contract with Manchester City. He will become free to sign for another club in January. Great player, great talent, symbolizes what Benfica fans like to see on the field, intelligence, delivery, mystique."

Silva admitted earlier this season that he knows what his future will be, but the City captain said it was not the right time to discuss what that would be. 

The Portuguese star grew up in Benfica's academy before moving to Monaco in 2014.

Should Silva move, he'll play under Jose Mourinho, a rival of Guardiola's. 

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Dorothy Howard

Dorothy Howard is a freelance soccer writer for The Sporting News. Dorothy loves all things sports, especially soccer. She is unfortunately a hardcore Manchester United fan, but loves the USWNT. Since starting her career, she has published work for multiple sports sites, and is a trusted name in sports reporting.