Barcelona defender João Cancelo has openly expressed his wish for fellow Portuguese international Bernardo Silva to choose either Barcelona or Benfica as his next club. This preference comes as Bernardo Silva, currently a target for Juventus, is widely expected to become a free agent at the conclusion of the current season.
The Manchester City captain’s contract is reportedly nearing its end, with multiple European outlets suggesting his decision to leave the Premier League champions. Juventus has reportedly initiated discussions to secure the midfielder’s services.
In a recent interview with Canal 11, Cancelo, who himself arrived at Barcelona on loan in the January transfer window, stated, “I’d like to see him go to Barcelona or Benfica.”
Reflecting on the allure of top clubs, Cancelo added, “It’s hard to say no to Barcelona or Benfica.” He elaborated on his affection for Benfica: “I’d love to play for Benfica, but I don’t know whether it can happen soon. Fortunately, I’ve reached a salary level which Benfica can’t match. I’m not going to play for free, but at some point in my career, I won’t want to earn that much.”
Comparing the two clubs, Cancelo remarked, “Playing for Barcelona is like playing for Benfica; you do it out of love.” Addressing his own future, with his Barcelona loan expiring in June and his contract with Al-Hilal extending until 2027, he commented, “I have a year left in my contract. If I have to play in Saudi Arabia, I’ll do it. If I have to play in Europe, I’ll do it too. It depends on Al-Hilal. When Barcelona call, you can’t say no. I feel at home, and I’ve settled in well.”