Manchester City may be left wondering what might have been after Bernardo Silva revealed he and Ruben Dias repeatedly encouraged the club to sign player now regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Joao Neves has rapidly developed into one of Europe’s most admired player since leaving Benfica in 2024, helping PSG dominate domestically while also playing a central role in the club’s long-awaited Champions League triumph.
City were among several clubs linked with Neves during his breakthrough campaign at Benfica, where the teenager emerged as one of the brightest talents in Portuguese football.
Despite strong admiration from Silva and Dias, the Premier League side ultimately decided against pursuing a deal, with PSG moving decisively to secure his signature in a transfer worth around £50m.
Silva has now disclosed how both he and fellow Portugal international Dias attempted to persuade City officials not to overlook the midfielder.
“We have a funny story with Ruben Dias, from the time of the European Championship in Germany,” Silva told DAZN, as per Record.
“We knew that Joao Neves was close to signing with PSG. And Ruben and I started calling City telling them not to lose him.
At the time, City had other priorities because in midfield we had many players and they ended up not going ahead. But we kept bothering City not to lose him.”
City’s reluctance to push ahead with a move came at a time when Pep Guardiola’s side were already well stocked in midfield options.
Rodri remained central to the team, while the club also possessed significant depth across attacking and defensive midfield roles.
However, Neves has since blossomed into one of the game’s elite young players, and his performances in France have intensified discussion over whether City missed a major opportunity.
The former Benfica academy graduate adapted immediately to life in Paris, combining relentless work-rate with technical quality and maturity beyond his years.
His influence has been especially evident in European competition, where he has formed an outstanding partnership with Vitinha in PSG’s midfield.
Silva admitted City’s hierarchy may now regret failing to act sooner.
“They ended up having other priorities at the time, they decided not to go ahead, but it’s a funny story. I think they might regret it a little bit nowadays, after seeing.
We already knew Joao and we also trained with him, we already saw what he was like, because he’s a player who doesn’t disappoint.”
Neves’ rise continues as City seek midfield answers
Since arriving in Paris, Neves has gone from promising youngster to established star on the biggest stage.
He has already made 96 appearances for the French champions and scored 14 goals, while collecting consecutive Ligue 1 titles.
Perhaps most significantly, he played a key role in PSG finally lifting the Champions League trophy during a historic treble-winning campaign, delivering performances that reinforced his reputation as one of the finest midfielders of his generation.
His development has coincided with growing uncertainty around City’s midfield structure.
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The club moved to strengthen in January 2025 by signing Nico Gonzalez from Porto in a deal worth £50m after Rodri suffered a serious ACL injury. Yet changes within Guardiola’s squad created fresh concerns.
Silva’s departure on a free transfer has left City increasingly short of experienced creative midfielders, and reports have linked the club with several potential reinforcements including Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Enzo Fernandez.
Even so, Neves’ displays for PSG have only increased speculation about how seamlessly he may have fitted into Guardiola’s system.
Still only 21, the midfielder has become renowned for his intelligence in possession, aggressive pressing and ability to dictate the tempo of matches.
His consistency has also translated onto the international stage with Portugal, where he is now viewed as a central figure in the country’s next generation.
