Man City star wanted by European side as leading candidate for club presidency claims he could sign for them in January

Bernardo Silva is at the centre of Benfica’s presidential elections after one leading candidate promised to sign the Manchester City captain.

Noronha Lopes went public on his plan to land Silva, who left his boyhood club in 2014 after failing to break into the first team under Jorge Jesus.

Lopes claimed that he has a contract ready for the Portugal international to sign as a key part of his manifesto ahead of members going to the ballots next month.

Silva is in the final 12 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and intimated over the summer that this would be his last contract with the club.

The 31-year-old had been looking for a move to Spain in recent seasons but no club matched the valuation City had set for him. Paris Saint-Germain showed the firmest interest yet never got near to the finances City wanted.

Benfica’s presidential hopeful has even talked up the possibility of signing Silva in the middle of this season, although the prospects of that appear slim.

Bernardo Silva, 31, is expected to leave Manchester City come the end of his contract next summer

Silva left Benfica in 2014 failing to break into the first team under Jorge Jesus

‘I can confirm that a contract is waiting for Bernardo Silva,’ Lopes said. ‘And I really want to bring him in in January. He embodies everything I want for Benfica: identity, a winning culture, and he's a true Benfica fan. And I can assure you that we won't stop here.’

Meanwhile, City’s new £26million goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has claimed the chance to play under Pep Guardiola was a motivating factor in leaving PSG.

‘I think his history speaks for itself,’ he said. ‘The fact that he wanted me here is a reason to be proud of. It's an indescribable emotion. Being coached by him I think is the best for a football player.

‘I can't wait to follow him and take to the pitch with him. I'm sure he will help me a lot and we will do great things together, this season as well as in the following years. As we said, it’s been an era of unbelievable success here.’

Bernardo Silva Gianluigi Donnarumma Transfer Rumor Premier League Manchester City Benfica

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