Bernardo Silva reached the Champions League semi-final with Monaco this season

Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva will sign a five-year deal at Manchester City on Friday afternoon, Sky sources understand.

Manchester United had been interested in the 22-year-old earlier this year, according to national newspaper reports, though Antoine Griezmann is the No 1 target at Old Trafford in the next transfer window.

Bernardo Silva was in Manchester on Friday ahead of finalising his transfer to the Etihad Stadium, in what will be Pep Guardiola's first major signing of the summer.

Bernardo Silva, nicknamed 'the little Messi' in his native Portugal, has drawn comparisons with David Silva and could be seen as a potential heir to the 31-year-old Manchester City playmaker.

A product of the Benfica academy, Bernardo Silva has 12 caps for Portugal's senior side and has helped Monaco win the Ligue 1 title this season, scoring eight goals in his 36 French top-flight appearances.

City fans got the chance to assess his qualities when Monaco beat Pep Guardiola's side 3-1 in the Champions League to progress from the last-16 on away goals and went on to reach the semi-finals of this year's competition.