Team-mate mocks Bernardo Silva's three-year Man City transfer saga with brutal put-down

Bernardo Silva's annual desire to leave Manchester City has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, who gently mocked the forward for his latest transfer saga last summer.

Bernardo's friend and compatriot Ruben Dias has revealed how City players have welcomed the No.20 back at the start of the last three seasons with some good-natured banter around the transfer window. Bernardo has made no secret of his intention to leave Manchester for a warmer climate, closer to his native Portugal.

However, no move has materialised, with City happy for players to leave but only if suitable offers come along. After another summer without a resolution, Bernardo signed a contract extension at the start of this season to commit his future to City.

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That was also well-received by the City dressing room - but only after Dias spent the summer joking with his friend that he knew Bernardo would always remain at the club.

“At a certain moment last summer I thought he might go but I always tell him that every summer we have this series which is called ‘Bernardo is going nowhere’,” Dias told The National.

“This is the third summer since I have been here and there is a new episode every year. I was really happy when he signed because if you want to win trophies Bernardo is exactly the kind of player you need around you."

Turning to praise his teammate, Dias stressed the importance of tying down Bernardo to a long-term contract, describing him as underrated in the public eye, but not at City.

“It’s unfair for me to say how good he is