INEOS chiefs ‘convinced’ they can haggle with club to bypass ‘wonderful’ target’s £84m release clause

Now growing frustrated after numerous failed attempts to sign Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester United are considering alternative centre-half acquisitions.

As such, transfer chiefs have landed on a significantly more expensive but younger and more promising option in the form of Benfica’s Antonio Silva.

The name may well ring a bell among the Old Trafford faithful, given that the club have been linked with the 20-year-old for well over a year now. However, they’ve never taken the steps to accelerate their interest by sending a bid Benfica’s way.

That could be set to change this summer, though. Portuguese outlet O Jogo reports the Red Devils are looking to revive their interest in Silva while INEOS frantically scour the market for at least one more centre-back signing.

Last week, the club welcomed Leny Yoro to Manchester after hijacking Real Madrid’s pursuit of the teenager, but the departures of Willy Kambwala and Raphael Varane – along with Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire’s uncertain futures – have still left Erik ten Hag short ahead of the side’s pre-season tour of America.

Read more: Boost for INEOS as top target tells club he won’t sign a new contract unless they match United’s wage offer

The latest on United’s Silva interest

O Jogo’s report claims that United are ‘convinced’ they can haggle with Benfica to accept a proposal below the player’s €100 million (£84m) release clause and ‘negotiate a much more affordable exit’ for Silva, whom Graeme Bailey recently hailed as a ‘wonderful’ young talent; ‘one of the best young central defenders in the world’.

Nevertheless, an offer is not expected imminently, as the young prospect has only just returned from his holidays following his involvement at Euro 2024.