Benfica manager Bruno Lage has insisted he’s not spoken to Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, except for one telling him he had to shoot him in the kneecap.
O Jogo cover comments from the Benfica manager from his press conference today in which he was asked about the Manchester City star.
A report in Portugal today claimed that Benfica were working on the possibility of bringing Bernardo Silva back to the club in the summer transfer window.
That report was front page news, with it explained that talks had taken place at a high level and there was some degree of optimism at Benfica that they could bring Silva back to the club.
The 30-year-old came through Benfica’s youth ranks but made just three appearances for their first team before leaving for Monaco in 2015.
Any move would very much be one of the heart for the midfielder, who it is believed feels he has unfinished business at the club given he only managed a handful of appearances for them before leaving.
Naturally the idea has caused plenty of interest in Portugal, leading Lage to be asked about the Manchester City star in his press conference today.
“The fans recognize that Bernardo is a symbol of Benfica,” he said.
“I had the pleasure of working with him in training, but the most important thing is what we control. On the market, there are people working and preparing the next season, so that the team is getting stronger and stronger.”
“I don’t have contact with him. The last time I talked about him even went to tell him I had to shoot him in a kneecap. He was going to play against us. The only way we can stop him at Wolverhampton was to shoot him in a kneecap.
“He is a player that the fans have a huge affection, he has made a fantastic career. He and many others who grew up here and triumphed outside have already shown a willingness to return. It has to be joined by the will of the player and the club.”
