Real Madrid have won the race to sign Bernardo Silva on a free transfer, with transfer reporter Matteo Moretto reporting the deal is agreed ahead of Portugal’s World Cup opener. The signing ends a pursuit that stretched back several windows and involved both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid – the latter having reached a verbal agreement before Madrid intervened late.
Silva, 30, leaves Manchester City when his contract expires, having spent the better part of a decade at the Etihad and serving as club captain. His agent Jorge Mendes offered him to multiple clubs once renewal talks at City stalled, and both Barcelona and Atlético had been pursuing him seriously this summer. Madrid’s ability to direct resources toward salary and signing-on fees – rather than a transfer fee – gave them a structural advantage from the outset.
Mourinho’s project tips the balance
Multiple reports indicate the agreement was reached in roughly 36 hours once Real Madrid made serious contact, with José Mourinho identified as the driving force behind the move. ESPN and Spanish outlets describe Mourinho as having personally approved and pushed the signing, viewing Silva as an experienced, tactically versatile option capable of operating as an interior, a winger, or a number 10 within his system.
AS and Portuguese media report the contract runs until 2028, with Madrid holding an option to extend by a further year to 2029 – a shorter base term than Los Blancos typically hand to high-profile free agents, suggesting both parties wanted flexibility. Silva’s arrival is understood to close the door on Madrid’s separate interest in Rodri this summer, with the club satisfied they have addressed the creative midfield position through this deal. He joins Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries as early arrivals in what is shaping up as a rapid Mourinho-led squad refresh, in line with Madrid’s plan to move quickly on signings following the presidential elections.
Barcelona and Atlético left without compensation
Barcelona’s pursuit of Silva dates to 2022-23 but was repeatedly blocked by City’s resistance to selling and the Catalans’ salary limit constraints, which prevented them from matching the package Madrid could offer. Atlético’s position was more advanced – reports in Spain indicate they had a verbal agreement in place – but Silva’s preference shifted decisively once Madrid’s sporting proposal arrived, a development that has unsurprisingly generated frustration among Atlético supporters.
Official announcement expected after the World Cup
Silva and his camp have made clear they do not want final formalities to distract from Portugal’s campaign, meaning a formal announcement is expected once his World Cup involvement concludes. Whether the announcement comes during or after the tournament will depend on how far Portugal progress, but the deal itself is considered done. Attention will then move to how Mourinho integrates him into a midfield that already carries significant competition for places.
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