Bernardo Silva, the Manchester City midfielder, is set to join Atlético Madrid, effectively ending Juventus’s pursuit of the Portuguese international. The move comes as Juventus faces the likely prospect of playing in the Europa League next season, a situation Silva reportedly wished to avoid. According to reports from Italy, Silva prioritized a move to Spain, with Atlético Madrid ultimately surpassing both Juventus and Barcelona in the race for his signature.
Silva, whose contract with Manchester City is expiring, had been linked with a move to Turin for some time, with manager Luciano Spalletti personally involved in attempts to persuade him. However, Juventus’s recent slip to sixth place in Serie A, and the increasing likelihood of Europa League football, diminished their chances. The club had reportedly been aware that securing Silva’s services was contingent on Champions League qualification, and the failure to achieve this proved decisive.
The financial demands associated with the transfer also presented a significant hurdle for Juventus. Silva’s agent, Jorge Mendes, was reportedly seeking a substantial package, including a high salary, a three-year contract, and significant commission fees, a deal that proved unfeasible without the additional revenue generated by Champions League participation.
Despite missing out on Silva, Juventus is still planning to strengthen its squad for the 2026-27 season. Spalletti has identified a need for a creative midfielder, and the club is now focusing on alternative targets, including Tijjani Reijnders, currently with Manchester City, and Brahim Diaz, who previously played for Milan. Reijnders has seen limited playing time at City, while Diaz faces competition for a starting role at Real Madrid. The club is also monitoring the situation with Nico Gonzalez, who spent last season on loan at Atlético Madrid, though the player has indicated a preference to remain in Spain. Juventus may also consider Douglas Luiz, should his potential return to Aston Villa fall through.
