Monacos Silva to join Man City
AFP
AFP, MANCHESTER: Manchester City began their campaign to snatch the Premier League title from Chelsea next season when they signed Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva from French champions Monaco in a deal reported to be worth almost 50 million euros on Friday.Silvas arrival, set for July 1, is the first high-profile signing by City manager Pep Guardiola ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
City gave no indication of the length of Silvas contract nor did they specify a fee, although British media reports suggested they had paid around 43 million ($55 million, 49 million euros) for the 22-year-old.
Manchester United were also said to be interested in signing Silva but it was the Etihad Stadium club he opted for after flying into Manchester Airport on Thursday.
It feels greatou have the opportunity of being trained by Guardiola, you dont say no. If not the best coach in the world, he is one of the best. As we all know, what he did in Barcelona and Bayern Munich was amazing and we expect also here that he will win titles. Its great to be working with him and to have this opportunity, added Silva, capped 12 times by Portugal.Silva started his career with Portuguese giants Benfica before moving to Monaco in 2014 on a season-long loan.But so impressive was his start to life in French football, the deal was made permanent six months in.Last season saw Silva score 10 goals in 51 appearances last season, and assist in the creation of a further 10, as Monaco won Ligue 1 and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, having beaten Tottenham Hotspur, City and Germanys Borussia Dortmund en route.
