Mourinho identified Bernardo Silva as a priority and Real Madrid moved with stunning speed to get the deal done, closing the agreement in just 36 hours after opening talks. Fabrizio Romano posted: "Bernardo Silva to Real Madrid, HERE WE GO! Agreement in place and contract approved. Two-year deal plus one-year option." The 31-year-old leaves Manchester City as a free agent after nine years at the Etihad, having captained the club and won 20 major honours including six Premier League titles.
The signing is a major blow to Barcelona, who had appeared to be frontrunners and had even reached an agreement in principle with the player earlier this summer. Atletico Madrid also held a verbal agreement before Real Madrid intervened. Silva will officially join after the World Cup, where he is representing Portugal. His arrival gives Mourinho a world-class operator in the number 10 or wide midfield role.