Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva says he has rediscovered his happiness at the club having come close to an exit in the summer.
City manager Pep Guardiola revealed the player's desire to move on from the Etihad before the season started. Silva was frustrated having often been left on the bench in the Premier League in the second half of last year, with Guardiola known for regularly tinkering with his lineups.
The 27-year-old was understood to be keen on a move to La Liga and Barcelona in particular, but ultimately remained in Manchester with the Blaugrana unable to stump up City's £60m asking price amid the financial turmoil at Camp Nou.
Given the Portugal international still has four years to run on his contract, the Citizens were also under no pressure to sell.
2021/22 has been a different story so far with Silva battling back to become a key member of Guardiola's midfield, starting every Premier League match since the opening day of the season and each Champions League group stage game.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday, Silva revealed he was happy once again at City.
"I'm feeling happy right now. I love the club, I've always loved the club," he said.
"I feel the love from the fans, from the staff and from my team-mates and that was never the question."
Silva was also asked about the prospect of facing his international teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, but insisted he is focused on the overall task at hand.
"I've played against many of my teammates - when I play Wolves, I play against half of the national team!" he joked.
"When I play against Liverpool, I play against [Diogo] Jota, when I play against United, I play against Bruno [Fernandes] as well. There are many team-mates here in the Premier League.
"Of course Cristiano is a big name, as everyone knows. It is one more game, an important one - very important for us, but just one more game."
Source : 90min