Juventus are reportedly utilizing Cristiano Ronaldo as an intermediary to secure a deal for Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, who is set to depart the Etihad as a free agent in June 2026. According to reports from FootballTransfers and Tuttosport, the Italian giants have proposed a contract running until 2028 worth an annual €6 million net, with a further €2 million available in performance-related bonuses. While Barcelona remain a long-standing suitor for the 31-year-old, Juventus CEO Damien Comolli and the club's sporting department are scheduled to meet with agent Jorge Mendes to finalize a move that would see Silva transition to Serie A after nine seasons in England.
The Ronaldo factor and Juventus' midfield rebuild
Juventus are leaning heavily on Silva’s established connections to navigate a competitive market. Alongside Ronaldo, former City teammates Joao Cancelo and Danilo have reportedly been encouraged to help persuade the midfielder to choose Turin over Catalonia. This approach mirrors Silva’s 2017 move to Manchester City, where he sought advice from senior compatriots before signing. Following the confirmation from City assistant Pep Lijnders that Silva will not extend his stay, Juventus view the Portuguese international as the definitive technical leader for Luciano Spalletti’s midfield. The club’s ability to guarantee this €8 million total package is understood to be contingent on mathematical confirmation of Champions League qualification, providing the revenue required to facilitate the arrival of a high-earning veteran alongside younger profiles like Kenan Yildiz.
Barcelona rivalry and tactical fit at the Etihad
Despite the Italian interest, Barcelona remain a significant hurdle. Reports in Spain suggest Silva is prepared to accept a reduced salary to join the La Liga side, who have tracked him through several transfer windows. Silva has remained a fixture in Pep Guardiola’s side this term, maintaining a high level of availability and tactical flexibility across various midfield roles. His departure marks the end of a decorated era where he won six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. At 31, he represents a rare opportunity for a buyer to secure elite-level creative output without a transfer fee, making the €150,000-per-week equivalent wage pack offered by Juventus a calculated investment rather than a market-shifting sum. The outcome now rests on whether the pull of the Nou Camp outweighs the financial and personnel-led pitch from Turin.
Jorge Mendes is expected to hold further talks with the Juventus hierarchy before the final week of the European domestic season.