How Much Is Manchester City's David Silva Worth in the Current Transfer Market?

When a side with an average age around 30 reaches the Champions League final, like Juventus have this year, many put that down to experience. When a side with a similar average age struggles, in the way Manchester City have this season, it’s often put down to a lack of energy, leading to loud calls for an overhaul of the playing squad.

Although the criticisms of City’s squad have been somewhat overplayed at times, it’s clear there is a need to revamp their squad this summer, and given they will not have to work under financial fair play restrictions as they did 12 months ago, there’s likely to be at least one world-class player arriving at the Etihad in the coming months.

There’ll also be a number of current stars who leave, too, particularly those pushing 30 who perhaps could be replaced for younger, hungrier players on an upward trajectory. However, David Silva, who is 29, is not one who would be considered up for sale.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Silva has never relied on pace. His star quality comes from his intelligence, vision, technical quality and passing ability. He floats rather than sprints, taking up positions between the lines where he can inflict damage with his through balls, making it difficult for defenders to pick him up effectively.

His form since arriving at City in 2010 has been consistently brilliant. Very few players have worn a City shirt with such distinction. His form towards the end of last season was a huge factor in City leapfrogging Liverpool and winning their second title in three years, and this season he has once again been one of City’s best players, scoring 12 league goals in 30 games, a career-best for the Spaniard.

The club are likely to want him to stay as long as he is happy. He’s achieved the kind of status at City very few players manage. Only if he pushed for a move, a situation that seems unlikely, would the chance even arise. He is a wonderful player and a superb professional.

He’s invaluable to City, and only a handful of clubs could entice him away from the Etihad. Barcelona’s style makes them a potentially attractive option, but given the depth of quality in their midfield and Silva’s age, it’s highly unlikely they would make a move.

It’s a similar story at Real Madrid who have Isco, the player seen as Silva’s long-term replacement at international level. Valencia, Silva’s former club, would love to re-sign him, as reported by Martin Blackburn and Phil Thomas in the Sun earlier in the season, but given City are far more well placed in terms of success in the coming years, it seems more of a pipe dream than a realistic expectation.

Silva also has four years left on his current deal, having signed a five-year contract last summer. It was a key part of sporting director Txiki Begiristain’s commitment to tying down the club’s best players on long-term deals.

All of which leaves City in a strong position. He’s settled and committed to a long contract; the club aren’t in need of money and they don’t want to sell. He’s probably valued at around £30 million, since he’s almost 30—that figure would probably be much higher otherwise—but for a side to realistically prize him away, they would have to pay much more. 

Along with Sergio Aguero, Silva is one of the existing City players the club’s next phase of squad development will be built around and, when he does finally leave, he will go down as one of the truly great players in the club's long history. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.