Some transfers carry a backstory that stretches back years.
In 2016, Jose Mourinho was appointed Manchester United manager.
One of the players he wanted to sign was a 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder at Monaco.
However, United never made the move happen.
The player signed for Manchester City instead, and went on to win everything available in English football.
Ten years later, at a different club, Mourinho has finally put Bernardo Silva back on his list.
And this time, he’s in a position where it could actually happen.
Jose Mourinho requests Bernardo Silva at Real Madrid as three-way battle disrupts Barcelona’s plans
According to Diario AS, Jose Mourinho has asked Real Madrid to make a move for Bernardo Silva, identifying his compatriot as a personal priority and requesting that the club enter the race to pip Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to what would be one of the finest free transfers in La Liga history.
Silva leaves Manchester City when his contract expires on June 30, ending a nine-year spell at the Etihad that has produced six Premier League titles, a Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups and 460 appearances.
He is, by any measure, one of the most decorated players of his generation.
And he’s available for nothing.
Barcelona had appeared to be winning the race.
Silva himself acknowledged publicly that the Catalan club were among his options.
And sources inside the camp suggested the deal was close to being agreed before the World Cup.
Then Real Madrid re-entered the picture.
The connection between Mourinho and agent Jorge Mendes runs deep.
And Mendes represents Silva directly.
With Mourinho now arriving at the Bernabeu and Mendes having restored his relationship with the club after a period of distance, the pathway to a deal is far smoother than it was even months ago.
Atletico Madrid are also in the race, with Diego Simeone an admirer of Silva’s positioning and work rate.
But the emergence of Real Madrid as a genuine contender has complicated what everyone assumed would be a relatively clean resolution.
Pep Guardiola gave Silva the most glowing of send-offs.
“He adapts to any team,” Guardiola said. “He’s just too good.”
Silva has already made clear he won’t make a definitive decision until after Portugal’s World Cup campaign concludes.
Three clubs are now waiting for that moment.
But it’s Mourinho who has introduced the element nobody saw coming.
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