Jose Mourinho

Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid on a two-year deal, giving the club another high-profile addition without a transfer fee. The move links the 31-year-old midfielder with manager Jose Mourinho and adds more intrigue to Madrid’s summer rebuild. Silva left Manchester City at the end of last season after a nine-year spell that brought plenty of trophies. His departure had already sparked strong interest across Spain, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also said to be chasing his signature. Why Real Madrid moved quickly Real are looking to respond after a season without silverware. They finished eight points behind La Liga champions FC Barcelona and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Silva becomes Real’s second signing of the summer as a free transfer, following defender Marc Cucurella’s arrival from Chelsea in a deal worth £52m. The club is also understood to be targeting departing Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries, while France defender Ibrahima Konate is set to join after leaving Liverpool. What Silva brings now Silva is currently at the World Cup with Portugal, where he is expected to play a pivotal role. His arrival adds proven experience and another established international name to a squad that is trying to bounce back quickly. Defender Antonio Rudiger also signed a contract extension with Real this week, keeping him at the club until 2027. For Real, the message is clear: the club is still moving aggressively in the market, even without paying a fee for one of its biggest additions. Read more at: www.bbc.com

Bernardo Silva’s Free Move to Real Madrid Raises the Stakes in Spain