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Tom OlverPublished Jul 26, 2024, 1:15pm|Updated Jul 26, 2024, 1:16pm
Manchester United are plotting a move for Benfica defender Antonio Silva as frustration grows in their bid to land Matthijs de Ligt this summer.
United have been busy in the transfer market on the back of an immensely disappointing Premier League campaign, securing deals for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, 18, and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, 23 this month.
The Old Trafford giants are determined to further strengthen, though, and are prioritising another defensive signing before the transfer deadline, with Bayern’s De Ligt believed to be at the top of the club’s wishlist.
But United’s opening bid of £30million for De Ligt was rejected out of hand by Bayern, who are reportedly demanding a fee in excess of £45m for the 24-year-old Netherlands international.
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, the Red Devils’ struggles in pursuit of both De Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite have forced them to explore other potential avenues, which has seen Silva return to the fore as a target.
Silva, 20, widely regarded as one of the finest young defenders in Portuguese football, has an eye-watering €100m (£84.3m) release clause in his contract in Lisbon. However, the report claims United are ‘convinced’ they can negotiate Benfica’s price down.
It’s understood Silva has been on United’s radar for some time and sent scouts to watch the Portugal international before establishing contact with Gestifute – the company that represents the centre-half – back in February.
Following in the footsteps on Victor Lindelof, who left Benfica for United in 2017, Silva would join forces with fellow countrymen Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot should he complete a switch to the Theatre of Dreams.
But Benfica president Rui Costa is doing everything in his power to ensure Silva stays put beyond the summer, with the sought-after Portuguese tied into a contract until 2027.
Silva has made 94 appearances in all competitions for Benfica since his first-team breakthrough in 2022 and helped his boyhood team win the Primeira Liga title in his first full season.
Jan Vertonghen, Silva’s former team-mate at Benfica, recently backed the defender to go on and establish himself as ‘one of the best on the planet and a ‘legend’ in the game.
‘At the beginning of last season Benfica were playing with Morato, who is a very good player, but then, because of the injuries they had to put the kid Antonio Silva, and this boy will be a legend,’ the ex-Tottenham and Belgium star said.
‘If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he has all the attributes to be one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two.’
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