Bernardo Silva has signed with Real Madrid, a move that fulfills his childhood dream to play for the Spanish giants.
The Portuguese midfielder's transfer was finalized after José Mourinho's persistence paid off, with Real Madrid eventually accepting the original proposal made by Jorge Mendes.
What happened?
The negotiations began with a call in January, followed by another in February, and a third in March, with Mendes insisting on a deal.
The Real Madrid CEO, José Ángel Sánchez, initially rejected the proposal, stating that Bernardo Silva was not of interest to the club.
Why it matters for Bernardo Silva
But everything changed when José Mourinho intervened, and the club finally agreed to the signing of the Portuguese international.
Bernardo Silva's intentions were always clear, and he asked for negotiations to be redirected towards the Santiago Bernabéu once he realized that the Mourinho effect had achieved what seemed impossible.
What comes next?
The player's move to Real Madrid marks the end of an era at Manchester City, where he was one of the key players under Pep Guardiola.
The transfer was expected, but the destination was a surprise, with many speculating that he would join Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid instead.
Atlético's executives saw Bernardo Silva as the ideal replacement for Antoine Griezmann, but the player's heart was set on Real Madrid.
Jorge Mendes found himself in a difficult position, but his role has always been to fulfill the wishes of his players, and in Bernardo Silva's case, that wish was to play for Real Madrid.
The news was first revealed on 24 April, when AS reported that Mendes had presented a proposal to the Real Madrid hierarchy, which was initially rejected.
But football changes faster than anyone can imagine, and the signing of Bernardo Silva is a testament to the power of persistence and determination.
The Portuguese midfielder is now a Real Madrid player, and his move is set to have a significant impact on the Spanish league.