---
title: "Manchester City: Noel Whelan makes Bernando Silva exit claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-bernando-silva-matheus-nunes-transfer-news-gossip-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2022-08-14T10:05:22Z"
modified: "2022-08-14T10:05:22Z"
---

# Manchester City: Noel Whelan makes Bernando Silva exit claim

**Former [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) striker Noel Whelan has made a surprising claim regarding [Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) midfielder Bernando Silva.**

### The lowdown: Barcelona interest

Spanish giants Barcelona have been extensively linked with a move for Silva this summer, with [reports](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-bernardo-transfer-news-24749642) even suggesting that the club are ‘confident’ of landing the 28-year-old.

Recently, the diminutive Portugal international remained coy on the speculation, [committing](https://talksport.com/football/1168196/bernardo-silva-opens-up-future-man-city-barcelona/) himself to City where he is ‘very happy’, whilst also admitting he had ‘no idea what’s going to happen’ in the future.

Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola [wants Silva to remain at the Etihad](https://www.football-espana.net/2022/08/13/pep-guardiola-wants-to-keep-bernardo-silva-at-manchester-city) where he is under contract until [2025](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bernardo-silva/profil/spieler/241641), however, one pundit has now suggested that the Premier League champions could be open to sanctioning an exit.

### The latest: ‘Will listen to offers’

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/man-city-will-accept-bernardo-silva-offer-amid-journalists-80m-reveal-pundit/), ex-Leeds United frontman and former [BBC Radio show host](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04srs1v) Whelan claimed that the Citizens ‘will listen to offers’ for the [70-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bernardo-silva/nationalmannschaft/spieler/241641/verein_id/3300) star due to the club’s professionalism.

He said: “It could be a turnaround of the old guard at City. They’ve gotten rid of a few players who have been there for a while now and bringing in a fresh, hungry group.

“City will do what is right by the player, and vice versa. I’m sure both parties are open to a transfer. But he’s one of the best in the world – and they won’t be letting him go to a Champions League rival without a massive price tag on his head.

“He deserves that, he’s a special midfield player. Barcelona need to find the money first. If they can, then I’m sure Man City will listen to offers – they’re very professional in the way they go about things.

“I’m sure there’ll have been open-air talks about where all parties stand. Man City do their business very well.”

### The verdict: Big money needed

Such is the importance of Silva to Guardiola’s plans, it would surely take offers of at least the mooted [£80m asking price](https://talksport.com/football/1168196/bernardo-silva-opens-up-future-man-city-barcelona/) in order for City to even entertain the possibility of selling their Portuguese superstar.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”306030″\]

Last season, Silva – who was hailed a [‘genius at work’](https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1493689976810360842) by reputable statistics source Squawka after a remarkable display against Sporting Lisbon in February – scored [13 times and provided seven assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bernardo-silva/leistungsdaten/spieler/241641/plus/0?saison=2021) in 50 appearances across all competitions – highlighting his pivotal role in the side.

Despite only making [two fleeting outings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bernardo-silva/leistungsdaten/spieler/241641/plus/0?saison=2022) from the bench in the league so far this term, the creative ace is unlikely to be sold much later in the window than this without a readymade replacement already lined up and Txiki Begiristain would need to react to act quickly should Whelan’s prediction become a reality.

On that note, City have been linked to the likes of [Matheus Nunes](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/man-city-matheus-nunes-sergio-gomez-bernardo-silva-sporting-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/) and [Lucas Paqueta](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-transfer-rumours/man-city-news-lyon-paqueta-talks-mcfc-latest/), two players that could feasibly replace Silva’s squad role in Manchester.