Manchester City learn appealing asking price for Bernardo Silva replacement: report

Manchester City have landed on a potential Bernardo Silva replacement, who could arrive for a palatable price.

The Portuguese midfielder has been a key part of what is undoubtedly the most successful period in Manchester City’s history, joining from Monaco in 2017.

In that time, he’s collected six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups and a Champions League.

Manchester City quoted £43.5m for Bernardo Silva replacement

That success, combined with the leadership qualities he brings, means he will be difficult to replace at the Etihad, with the 31-year-old expected to depart at the end of his contract this summer.

Assistant manager Pep Lijnders went as far to say “you never replace” a player like Silva, but luckily, City may have found a player who may go some of the way to filling his shoes, for a knock-down price.

According to the Portuguese outlet A Bola, City are in “pole position” to sign Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand.

The Manchester club have reportedly already made contact with their Portuguese counterparts.

The Dane is said to have been admired by Juventus and Manchester United in the past, so interest is likely to be high again this summer.

And it won’t fade as a result of news that Sporting may be open to offers between €40m-€50m, despite having a €80m release clause in Hjulmand’s contract.

However, City’s chances of clinching the midfielder’s signature will not be harmed by the presence of director of football Hugo Viana at the Etihad, who used to hold the same position at Sporting.

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In FourFourTwo’s opinion, this is the sort of smart business City have developed a reputation for in recent years.

Some of their recent purchases have felt a little more knee-jerk, but this is a player the hierarchy know well, and could be available at a cut price.

As ever, you can never predict how a player might adapt to the English game, but in relative terms, this would be a smart gamble to take.

Hjulmand is valued at €45m, according to Transfermarkt.