Bernardo Silva agrees to join Real Madrid as free agent next summer

Bernardo Silva has reached an agreement to sign with Real Madrid following the expiration of his Manchester City contract at the end of the 2025-2026 season, according to reports from transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano. The Portuguese midfielder, aged 31, will become available as a free agent in July 2026 and is set to join the Spanish club under newly appointed manager José Mourinho.

The transfer deal includes a two-year contract with the option to extend for an additional season. Mourinho's appointment at the Santiago Bernabéu reportedly played a decisive role in accelerating negotiations, with talks progressing significantly within the past 36 hours. The agreement has been confirmed by multiple sources tracking the transfer.

Silva's move ends speculation that he might join Barcelona instead. The midfielder, who has spent several seasons at Manchester City, will link up with a Real Madrid side managed by Mourinho for the upcoming LaLiga campaign. Fellow midfielder Rodri, also at Manchester City, has predicted that Silva will thrive in Madrid, citing the player's physical attributes and adaptability as key factors.

Real Madrid is also exploring additional midfield reinforcements. Manager Mourinho is considering moves for Chelsea's Enzo Fernández and other targets including Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha and João Neves, as the reigning Champions League holders look to strengthen their squad. However, reports indicate that Paris Saint-Germain is unlikely to sell either midfielder.