Exclusive - Manchester City have let midfielder David Silva know that he is welcome to stay at the Etihad Stadium next season if he cannot find a suitable move elsewhere.
The 34-year-old has already decided that he wants to bring his time in the Premier League to an end this summer, with teams all over the world understood to be interested in offering him a new home for next season.
Teams in his native Spain have reached out about a potential move, and Silva has also received interest from China, Japan and Dubai, but he is yet to agree on his next move.
City have accepted Silva's desire to leave, but a source has confirmed to 90min that they have informed the Spaniard that there is a 12-month contract waiting for him if he decides now isn't the right time.
The coronavirus outbreak has impacted some sides' willingness to offer Silva a contract, but City want to ensure he is happy and have given him a safety net if needed.
⚽️? pic.twitter.com/QptQZbAlku
— David Silva (@21LVA) July 15, 2020
City believe that keeping Silva would be the ideal scenario for them as it would ensure they don't need to find a new forward this summer, and it would help relieve the pressure on young Phil Foden, whose role in the first team is expected to increase next season anyway.
However, there is an acceptance at City that this would be a last resort for Silva. Manager Pep Guardiola recently admitted (via BBC Sport) that the 34-year-old has already made his mind up to leave, adding his desire to see Silva find the right home.
"He has decided to leave, he has said many times. I think he wants to finish after 10 seasons here," said Guardiola. "He's been in incredible top form since we came back from the lockdown. He played another exceptional game and scored again, two times in a row a fantastic goal.
"Hopefully he comes back for a farewell game that he more than deserves and he can find a place for the last years of his career."
Silva added another goal and an assist to his tally as he led City to a 2-1 win over Bournemouth last time out, reaching ten assists for the seventh time in his Premier League career.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
Source : 90min