- Bernardo Silva made a request to Man City
- He was backed up by teammate Ruben Dias
- The Citizens have lived to regret not listening
Bernardo Silva has revealed how he tried to get Manchester City to sign a rising talent, but the club did not take his suggestion on board.
Man City have signed some superb players over the years, and rarely miss out on a player they set their sights on.
Even this season, the Citizens had the most impressive January window, adding two excellent players to their squad.
However, this does not mean City have already got it right in the transfer market, as one decision they made has been called out by the captain himself.
Bernardo Silva wanted Man City to sign Joao Neves
Speaking to DAZN Portugal, Silva has talked about how he and Ruben Dias wanted City to place a bid for Joao Neves, who was linked with PSG after Euro 2024.
Unfortunately, Man City had ‘other priorities’ and decided not to pursue the midfielder, who played for Benfica at the time.
E se o João Neves tivesse ido para o Man City? O Bernardo Silva e Rúben Dias tentaram ao máximo 👀🇵🇹
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Silva said: “Ruben Dias and I have a funny story. Around the time of the Euros in Germany, with Joao Neves, we knew he was close to signing for PSG. So Ruben and I started calling City, telling them not to lose him.
“At the time, City had other priorities, because in midfield we had a lot of players. But we kept on at the club not to lose him.
“They ended up having other priorities back then and decided not to go ahead, but it is a funny story. I think these days they are perhaps a little regretful.”
He added: “We already knew Joao and had also trained with him with the national team. We could already see what he was, because he is a player who does not disappoint.”
Neves has thrived at PSG
Since joining the French team, Neves has won the treble which included lifting the Champions League trophy last season.
This term he has won Ligue 1 again, and PSG only need to defeat Arsenal this Saturday in order to win Europe’s biggest competition for a second successive year.
Neves has made 37 appearances this season, and it would have been more if he had not been struggling with various injuries.
Based on this, it is hard to argue with Silva’s claim that City will regret not completing a move for the now 21-year-old.
Man City will sign a new midfielder this summer
Despite deciding they had enough midfielders a couple of years ago, the Sky Blues are currently in the market for a new player to operate in the centre of the park.
This is to some extent due to Silva’s Man City exit, and the club already appear to have someone lined up.
Enzo Fernandez was linked with City, but it turns out there is no longer a desire to secure his signature this summer.
Instead, Man City want to sign Elliot Anderson, and he is currently viewed as their number one transfer target.
There is still a disagreement with Nottingham Forest over the 23 year old’s valuation, but if this can be resolved, the England international will become a Citizen.
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