Inter Miami Step Up Chase for Manchester City Legend – Desire to Pair with Lionel Messi

Inter Miami have accelerated their pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, hoping to unite the 31-year-old Portuguese international with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi in South Florida, SportsBoom understands.

Silva, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in June, is now eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club outside England. While Galatasaray, two unnamed Premier League sides, former club Benfica and long-term admirers Barcelona have all registered interest, the most lucrative proposals have arrived from the Saudi Pro League. Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli are prepared to table deals worth £19.8 million per season—more than £4 million above Silva’s current wages.

Yet Inter Miami, backed by David Beckham’s ownership group, believe they can present a package that competes with Saudi Arabia’s financial might while offering Silva the unique opportunity to play alongside Messi in MLS. The Floridian club have already made informal enquiries about Silva’s salary expectations and contract length; should the player indicate a willingness to move to the United States, formal negotiations with his representatives will commence immediately.

A transfer to Miami would close the curtain on a glittering nine-year spell in Manchester during which Silva has amassed 440 appearances, 73 goals and 78 assists. He has collected six Premier League titles, an FA Cup, four League Cups and the UEFA Champions League, forming a key component of the City side that became only the second English club to complete the Treble. Silva was also named club captain ahead of last December’s FIFA Club World Cup.

The midfielder first caught Pep Guardiola’s eye in 2017 when AS Monaco eliminated City from the Champions League; Silva provided the assist for an 18-year-old Kylian Mbappé in the decisive second leg. A £43 million move to Manchester followed, and Silva’s influence has grown steadily ever since.

From a national-team perspective, a switch to MLS would keep Silva in the shop window ahead of the 2026 World Cup, to be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 94 caps and a pivotal role in Portugal’s midfield, his experience is viewed as vital for Roberto Martínez’s squad ambitions.

Where Silva will ply his trade next remains uncertain, but Inter Miami have now positioned themselves at the forefront of the race, ready to leverage both competitive financial terms and the prospect of a headline-grabbing partnership with Messi to lure the City stalwart to DRV PNK Stadium.