The English Premier League is one of the most cash-rich football leagues in the world and among the clubs which participate in the league, manchester city are among the biggest spenders. True to form, the club has kicked off the summer spending in the transfer window with a bang by acquiring the services of Monaco's Portuguese star Bernardo Silva for a huge fee.
A signal of intent
The 2016-17 had been a disappointing one for Manchester City in spite of spending heavily on recruitment and appointing one of the finest managers in the world in Pep Guardiola.
However, there were definite gaps in the squad that did not help and it seems that they are now going to spend heavily in order to win the league title next season. The $55 million of signing of Monaco starlet Bernardo Silva is an early warning to the rest of the Premier League that they mean business. The deal for the 22-year-old Portuguese midfielder was completed swiftly, which might have surprised many. He went to Manchester yesterday for his medical and the deal was made official today. Usually, signings for such players take some time but it seems City are intent on getting along with their transfer business so that they can have a settled squad as soon as possible. Silva was instrumental in Monaco's victory over City in the UEFA Champions League and it is believed that it was in that game that he caught Pep Guardiola's eye.
What is next for City?
Manchester City's business in this transfer window is far from over as the club looks to build a team that would rival any of the super clubs in Europe like Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich. They are in the market for a right back and a left back. Monaco's left-back Benjamin Mendy is thought to be close to completing the switch to City while Tottenham Hotspur's Kyle Walker is also in the club's radar for the right back position.
However, the signing of Bernardo Silva could be the jewel in their transfer business crown this summer due to the range of skills that he brings to the table as a playmaker. In addition to that, he was being courted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe after his breakout season in 2016-17 and hence, the quick wrapping of the deal was so important for the club.
In this regard, the presence of Pep Guardiola was a huge factor and the player himself stated following the completion of the transfer that no player would want to pass up on the opportunity to work with the Spanish manager.
