Overview

• Presidential candidate João Noronha Lopes told A Bola there is a contract waiting for Bernardo Silva and said he wants to sign him in January.
• Portuguese outlet Record and secondary reports say talks with Silva are well advanced and a contract is prepared, with either a January transfer for a fee or a free move next summer.
• Silva’s Manchester City deal runs to June 30, 2026, which allows him to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs starting January 1, 2026 under FIFA rules.
• Benfica coach Bruno Lage publicly said he believes Silva will soon return to the Lisbon club.
• No transfer has been agreed by Manchester City, and any January move would require the club’s approval and would remove Pep Guardiola’s newly appointed captain mid-season.