Bernardo Silva Nears Juventus Move on Free Transfer as Galatasaray and Barcelona Miss Out

Juventus are edging closer to securing the signature of Bernardo Silva, with the Manchester City midfielder expected to depart the English champions on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the current season.

According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, Juventus have moved to the front of the queue in the race for the 31-year-old Portuguese international, pulling ahead of both Barcelona and Galatasaray — the Turkish club where Victor Osimhen currently plays — in what has become a competitive pursuit for one of European football’s most decorated midfielders.

The Old Lady has presented Silva with a structured two-year contract worth €8 million per season, running until 2028, with a conditional option included that would extend the arrangement by a further year. That financial offer represents a significant commitment from a club that is also reportedly on the verge of confirming its place in next season’s UEFA Champions League — a key element in Juventus’ attempts to attract elite talent back to Turin.

Silva, who has been central to Manchester City’s dominance in English football over recent seasons, has made clear his intention to settle his club future before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins. Resolving the situation early would allow the midfielder to approach the tournament free from external distractions, a priority he is understood to have communicated to interested parties.

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has taken a hands-on role in the negotiations, engaging directly with Silva to outline how the midfielder would function within his tactical setup. Spalletti’s personal involvement signals the level of importance Juventus place on landing the player, who has won five Premier League titles among a host of major honours during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

For Galatasaray, the development represents a significant setback. The Istanbul club had reportedly been targeting Silva as a potential addition to complement Osimhen, the Nigeria international who joined the Turkish side on a permanent basis after an extended loan spell from Napoli. Adding a player of Silva’s calibre alongside Osimhen would have elevated Galatasaray’s standing considerably, but according to reports, that ambition now appears unlikely to materialise.

Barcelona, who have long been linked with Silva given his previous public expressions of interest in a move to the Camp Nou, also appear to have been overtaken in the race, with Juventus’ financial clarity and Champions League prospects giving them a competitive edge.

Should the deal be concluded as anticipated, Silva would become one of the more high-profile free transfers of the summer window, joining a Juventus side that has been rebuilding its squad following a turbulent period both on and off the pitch. The club’s return to the Champions League, if confirmed, would mark an important step in that process and reinforces their ability to attract players of Silva’s standing.