The Portuguese midfielder will leave Manchester City in the summer as his contract expires.
An era is coming to an end at the Etihad Stadium after it was confirmed that Bernardo Silva will end his successful spell on June 30. But Manchester City are not going to be left with a vacuum. The club has already identified Ibrahim Maza as the ideal candidate to inherit his creativity in the final third of the pitch.
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Pepijn Lijnders, Guardiola’s right-hand man, has already stated that the Portuguese’s era is over after six magical years. Now a special talent is needed to fill the void. The young Algerian attacking midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen stands out as the favourite – not least because of his boldness and understanding of the game under the leadership of Xabi Alonso. (Which is also probably on his way to the Premier League)
A 20-year-old who is already blowing away in the Bundesliga
Manchester City want to ensure the continuity of their combination play by bringing in a 20-year-old who is already enchanting in the German Bundesliga. With five goals and six assists, the African international has just the freshness needed to rejuvenate City’s attacking line.
Leverkusen gets on the back foot – demands over 70 million euros
The Leverkusen management has no plans to drop their golden nugget cheaply. They have priced him at around 70 million euros. At the BayArena, they stand firm, knowing that the playmaker’s contract runs until the summer of 2030.
Manchester City have already taken informal soundings, but met with a resounding no. A heftier economic bid is required to convince the Germans. Signing the former Hertha Berlin player is a big financial challenge – especially considering that FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are also lurking in the wings.
Read: Manchester United ready for talks with the ‘genius’ – after Carrick’s loss to Leeds
Why the investment is worth it
Despite Leverkusen’s demands, the City management believes that the investment is justified by the international stardom the Algerian has already achieved. Ibrahim Maza’s ability to break lines and create chances fits like a glove with the tactical demands of modern British football.
The perfect piece in City’s attacking machinery
Sports management envisions Maza as a versatile player who can blend into a star-studded team alongside the likes of Phil Foden. Manchester City are planning a dream rollover to ensure a constant supply of balls to the infallible Norwegian striker Erling Haaland in the years to come.
More than just a Silva replacement
This strategic planning is not just about replacing Bernardo Silva. City also see Ibrahim Maza as a possible replacement in the event of changes with Savinho. The Algerian would give the team the extra dose of dribbling and assists that often decide even matches in tough European Cups.
The future is secured – no matter what Guardiola does
Although Pep Guardiola’s own future remains uncertain, the club’s plan of action is unaffected. The goal is to maintain the sporting dominance in England. Manchester City understands that lasting success is about capturing the greatest talent before their value becomes impossible to pay.
