Real Madrid’s sensational swoop for Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva has reportedly come at the direct expense of their fierce cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid.

According to an update from Cadena SER, the veteran midfielder was heavily expected to officially become an Atletico Madrid player this summer.

The advanced transfer operation was so incredibly close to completion that formal contracts had already been fully accepted by all parties involved.

Atletico executives specifically planned to sign the agreement on Thursday morning during a scheduled day off from Bernardo’s intensive international duties.

However, the creative midfielder dramatically rejected the Rojiblancos at the absolute final moment because he strongly desires to play under Jose Mourinho.

The unique opportunity to join Los Blancos and lead Mourinho’s ambitious rebuilding project completely altered the player’s transfer thinking in the final minutes.

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