Expert: Pep Guardiola to let 'incredible' star leave Man City as exit deal lined up
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(Credit: Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Wed 17 September 2025 7:00, UK
Pep Guardiola oversaw a massive overhaul of his first-team squad at Man City during the summer transfer window and is not expected to stop there.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Guardiola is not afraid to let more key players leave the Etihad.
This comes after speculation surrounding the future of Bernardo Silva, who has just one year left on his current contract and has not held talks over a new deal.
Micah Richards criticised Silva following Man City‘s poor start to the season, with the 31-year-old’s future up in the air amid concerns about his recent form.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider in June that Guardiola is prepared to let Silva leave with clubs in Portugal, Spain and Saudi Arabia keeping tabs on his situation.
Bernardo Silva could leave Man City next summer.
(Credit Imago)
Brown told Football Insider in June that Silva could be part of the Man City exodus and had been considered among the big names they were willing to let go.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted the Portugal international could now follow the likes of Kevin de Bruyne out of the door.
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“I hear Guardiola is prepared to let Silva leave,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s been very good at that during his time at City, finding the right time for players to move on after getting everything he could out of them.
“We’ve seen it more recently with De Bruyne and (Ilkay) Gundogan, he’s done it before with players like David Silva and (Sergio) Aguero, and now this could be another one.
“There have been big changes at City over the summer, with a lot of players on their way out and a lot of players brought in to replace them.
Credit: Imago
“Of course it’s important to have continuity, but the manager has made some big decisions and still might have more to make.
“Silva’s contract is up next year and there haven’t been any talks about a new deal, so I expect they will be prepared to let him go.”
Football Insider revealed on 19 July that Silva could leave Man City next summer as his agent has spoken to interested clubs about a free transfer.
Benfica boss Bruno Lage confessed Silva would “be a Benfica player soon“ and revealed “there is a contract waiting for him” with the move already lined up.
The Portuguese giants are keen to being the midfielder back to his home country, where he has long been linked with a return having come through their academy.
Credit: Getty Images
Silva, who was named as the new Man City captain following Kyle Walker‘s exit this summer, has previously been dubbed “incredible” by Guardiola.
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However, the boss is set to make a ruthless decision about his future as he continues to make significant changes to his once all-conquering squad.
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