Max Verstappen showcased his dominance in Formula 1 by securing a superb victory at the British Grand Prix, further extending his championship lead. This win marked Verstappen’s sixth consecutive triumph, equaling Red Bull’s record of 11 consecutive victories. Interestingly, Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, was present to witness Verstappen’s triumph over Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
Guardiola was seen in the Mercedes garage, providing support to Lewis Hamilton and his team during their home race. Following Verstappen’s impressive win, Guardiola expressed his opinion on the sport of Formula 1.
Manchester City, under Guardiola’s leadership, has been one of the most dominant teams in the Premier League in recent times. Guardiola’s arrival at the English club resulted in numerous successes, including winning the continental treble twice and becoming the youngest manager to win the UEFA Champions League.
Pep Guardiola: “I think F1 is a more difficult sport than football from a strategic point of view.” pic.twitter.com/Y2ZWk2kXmV
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 9, 2023
However, Guardiola’s opinion about the challenges of Formula 1 being greater than those of soccer has led to unexpected repercussions. Recent reports suggest that Bernardo Silva, a key player in Guardiola’s Manchester City squad, is contemplating a move to join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
Bernardo Silva’s potential move may end up with Pep Guardiola in the spot of bother
This potential transfer has generated speculation and raised concerns within the soccer world. Silva’s departure would create a significant void in Manchester City’s lineup, testing Guardiola’s ability to adapt to new circumstances.
Sources indicate that Al Hilal has informed Manchester City of their willingness to pay $80 million to secure the services of Bernardo Silva. Saudi clubs have been actively pursuing top talent from Europe, with Al Hilal aiming to pair Silva with fellow Portuguese player Ruben Neves, who they acquired for a remarkable $60 million(approx) last month. Additionally, there is interest in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who is nearing a move to Saudi Arabia.
Bernardo Silva has been considering Al Hilal’s offer for the past month. Representatives from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund that acquired majority control of Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad in June, have facilitated the negotiations.
Al-Hilal have offered Bernardo Silva a €50m-a-year contract, according to CBS Sports 🤑 pic.twitter.com/m9Eal3KE45
— GOAL (@goal) July 11, 2023
Sources close to the player have emphasized that the 28-year-old midfielder has yet to make a decision among the four options available to him: joining Al Hilal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, or extending his contract with Manchester City, which is set to expire in 2025.
Nevertheless, Al Hilal’s eagerness to pursue Bernardo Silva demonstrates their belief that they have a competitive advantage in securing his signature, especially considering the challenges faced by other potential suitors. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), for instance, is currently dealing with uncertainty surrounding the future of Kylian Mbappe, making it difficult for them to pursue Silva. Additionally, financing a deal for Silva would pose a significant challenge for Barcelona.