Bernardo Silva reveals he could quit Man City NEXT YEAR as playmaker admits he is targeting Benfica transfer
BERNARDO SILVA has revealed he could quit Manchester City next year as he targets an emotional return to Benfica.
The Portuguese playmaker, 27, had hoped to leave the Etihad last summer after slipping down Pep Guardiola's pecking order.
But City refused to let him leave with no club meeting their asking price.
Bernardo has since become an indispensable member of the City XI, with seven goals and two assists already this term.
But the midfield maestro has seemingly put a date on his Etihad exit.
Silva told Portuguese outlet Channel 11: "I miss Portugal a lot.
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"If I could go back in a year or two, I would.
"Not only because I would like to play for Benfica again, but because I miss my family and living in Portugal very much."
It's not the first time Silva has mentioned his desire to return to Benfica.
Bernardo previously admitted: "Benfica is a big part of my life.
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"I grew up going to Benfica matches with my father and also with my friends.
"Besides that, I played at Benfica for 12 years from the age of seven to 19... so it is almost half of my life.
"When I left, I was 19, almost 20 years old and it was a very difficult change because I wasn't expecting it.
"But it turned out to be a good thing for my life to change and move to Monaco.
"But speaking of Benfica, it is an important part of my life not only as a supporter, but also later as a player which helped me grow a lot."