Man City star ‘could make shock summer exit and return to his former club’ – with the player ‘willing to take a pay cut on his £300k-a-week salary’

A Man City star is seriously considering a return to his former club in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to a sensational report.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been a shadow of their usual dominant selves this season, as they find themselves at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time in the Spaniard’s eight-year tenure at the Etihad.

The latest to call it quits on his time on the blue side of Manchester was Kevin De Bruyne, with the Belgian announcing an end to his decade-long spell at City last week.

And now, the door is thought to be open for Bernardo Silva to return to Benfica at the end of the season, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola. 

The 30-year-old has previously been rumoured with a reunion at his boyhood club, but these were thought to be plans for when the sun sets on his career.

Silva’s £300,000-a-week contract at City expires at the end of next season, but it is believed that he is willing to take a pay cut at Benfica.

The Man City star is thought to be willing to take a pay cut on his £300,000-a-week salary

Pep Guardiola’s side have looked a shadow of themselves this season, and he has previously stated that his ageing squad cannot keep up with the intense demands of their busy schedule

There is also optimism on the club’s side that the deal could go through, as Benfica is Silva’s preferred destination if he were to leave City.

Another option for the Portuguese midfielder is Barcelona, but a switch to the Catalan club is seen as a much less likely outcome. 

Silva has made 396 appearances for City since joining in 2017, tallying 140 goal contributions in that time – 69 goals and 71 assists.

He was, of course, part of their historic Treble-winning side in 2023, and has won 17 trophies at the club, including six Premier League titles.