Bernardo Silva jets in and completes £43m move to Manchester City who are set to jump gun on United and complete capture of Monaco’s Portuguese ace
BERNARDO SILVA has landed in Manchester and has completed his move from Monaco to Manchester City for £43million.
The Portuguese international has been tipped to join United this summer, but Pep Guardiola put a plan in place months ago and accelerated his bid to bring Silva to the Etihad.
It is understood Silva has signed for City and had a medical at the City Football Academy and the final fee is a one-off payment of £43m. The club are hoping to announce the transfer tonight.
The Monaco ace, 22, has been a key part of the club's rise to victory in Ligue 1 this season and their march to the Champions League semi-finals.
Guardiola held talks with Silva's agent Jorge Mendes after their Champions League clash back in March and the City boss also enquired about the availability of Kylian Mbappe.
They then had another meeting after City's 3-1 win over West Brom 10 days ago.
Monaco netted a massive 107 goals this season as they beat rivals Paris Saint-Germain to the title, finishing the season with a very respectable 95 points.
But they were out-thought when it came to the Champions League semi-finals and were KO'd by an impressive defensive display over two legs from Juventus as the Italians won 4-1 on aggregate over two legs.
Monaco are reportedly interested in signing THREE players themselves this week, so could use the Silva cash on new signings.
United have been interested in Silva, although Jose Mourinho does have other names on his shopping list this summer.
If Guardiola does land Silva, he will have an embarrassment of riches in the attacking areas of the pitch.
Namesake David Silva has been a regular star for City this season and has been in sublime form at times for Guardiola this term.
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And Kevin de Bruyne has made an impressive start to his Premier League career, looking at home in City's midfield.
Bernardo Silva helped knock City out of the Champions League last 16 back in March as the principality club went through on away goals in a 6-6 aggregate goalfest.
Antoine Griezmann, Andrea Belotti, Michael Keane, Eric Dier and Romelu Lukaku have all been tipped to join United this summer, as Ed Woodward looks set to spend over £200million after they qualified for the Champions League.
He has posted a series of images on social media in the lat few days enjoying sunshine with pals by a poolside after his season ended.
Silva has been spending time with friends in Mallorca after a long season, where he helped Portugal win the Euro 2016 title last summer.