Manchester City's Bernardo Silva responds to Barcelona, Saudi Arabia speculation

The 29-year-old joined the Citizens in the summer of 2017 and has since established himself as an integral member of Pep Guardiola's squad, scoring 59 goals and registering 62 assists in 326 games across all competitions.

Bernardo has won 14 trophies as a Man City player, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League, but he admitted in January that he is keen to begin a "new project" away from the Etihad Stadium.

The Portugal international has since been heavily linked with a departure from Man City, with the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Hilal, all credited with an interest.

Bernardo seemingly ended speculation over a possible exit when he penned a new contract at Man City in September, keeping him tied to the Etihad until 2026, but rumours of the playmaker leaving the treble winners have resurfaced heading into the New Year.

Last month, Man City's No.20 reiterated his desire to return to boyhood club Benfica before he retires, but Barcelona and clubs in Saudi Arabia are said to still hold an interest in the Lisbon-born playmaker.

Bernardo is set to represent Man City in Tuesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saudi Arabia, and he was asked about Barcelona at his pre-match press conference.

Responding to the rumours, Bernardo said: "The first question I'm not going to answer, that's not the point here, my focus is on Manchester City and winning a very important competition."

While Bernardo decided not to comment on a possible switch to Camp Nou, the Portuguese has seemingly ruled out a move to the Middle East as he remains content in Europe.

"The Saudi League improvement has been massive, it's because of the investment and from what we hear it's not going to stop," the playmaker told reporters.

"Future in Saudi? For now, I'm focused on City, very happy playing European football, which in my opinion is the highest level."

Man City allowed both Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez to leave the Etihad in the summer to join Saudi Arabian clubs Al Nassr and Al-Ahli respectively.

Meanwhile, last season's treble-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo's compatriot Joao Cancelo moved to Barcelona, with the former joining on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract and the latter arriving in Catalonia on a season-long loan deal.