According to O Jogo, Manchester United are reportedly setting their sights on Benfica's highly-rated defender Antonio Silva, believing they can secure his signature for less than his hefty £84 million ($108 million) release clause.
Despite a busy transfer window, which has already seen the arrivals of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, the Red Devils are not slowing down and are keen on bolstering their defense further.
Silva, 20, has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Europe, making a name for himself in the Portuguese league.
His impressive performances last season, featuring 60 appearances and five goals for Benfica, have caught the attention of several top clubs, including Chelsea, who reportedly had a £52 million ($66.9 million) offer rejected in January.
United, however, are said to be optimistic they can negotiate a more affordable deal for the versatile defender.
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Antonio Silva's growing reputation has also seen him become a regular in Portugal's national team, earning 13 senior caps and participating in recent major tournaments.
His defensive skills, combined with a high pass completion rate of 92.2% and strong progressive passing stats, make him an attractive option for United as they look to strengthen their backline.
| Antonio Silva Stats (2023/24 Primeira Liga) | |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 30 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Pass Completion Rate | 92.2% |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 4.61 |
| Tackles per 90 | 2.20 |
| Minutes Played | 2,616 |
With three years remaining on his contract at Benfica, Silva's future has been the subject of much speculation.
As negotiations progress, the Red Devils are hopeful that their bid will meet Benfica's expectations, allowing Silva to make the switch to Old Trafford.
