Speaking to Canal 11's Soltinhos Pelo Mundo, the Manchester City captain admitted Benfica made contact but said the timing is not right to go home.
"I'm not going to Benfica. There were contacts to understand whether there was any intention. One thing is certain: I want to return one day. I don't know if, when I want to come back, the club will still want me."
He was equally clear about his desire to resolve his future before Portugal's World Cup campaign begins.
"I want to decide which will be my next club before the World Cup. I would like to arrive in Portugal's camp with my future already settled, because the World Cup is too important a competition for me to have my head on other things."
Silva joined Manchester City from Monaco for around £43 million in the summer of 2017 and leaves as one of the most decorated players in the club's history. He made more than 450 appearances for the club under Guardiola, scoring 76 goals and providing 77 assists. His trophy haul of 19 major honours includes six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups and the 2023 Champions League as part of the historic treble. He lifted the EFL Cup as captain in February, City's most recent piece of silverware.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti personally contacted Silva in April in an effort to convince him to move to Turin. La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed talks between the parties are at an advanced stage. Barcelona and Galatasaray have also been linked. City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain described Silva as "a player who became a legend."
John Stones will also leave the club at the end of the season, further dismantling a spine that defined the Guardiola era.