July 26th 2024.
It seems that Manchester United is not giving up on their quest to strengthen their defense this summer. After facing disappointment in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern, the Red Devils have set their sights on Benfica's Antonio Silva.
Despite already securing deals for Lille's Leny Yoro and Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee, United is determined to add another defensive player to their roster before the transfer deadline. De Ligt has been at the top of their wishlist, but their initial offer of £30 million was quickly rejected by Bayern. The German club is reportedly demanding a fee of at least £45 million for the 24-year-old Dutch international.
As a result, United has turned to other potential options, with Antonio Silva back in the picture. The 20-year-old defender is highly regarded in Portuguese football and has a release clause of €100 million in his contract with Benfica. However, there are reports that United is confident in negotiating a lower price for Silva.
The Red Devils have been keeping an eye on Silva for some time now, even sending scouts to watch him play and establishing contact with his representatives in February. If United successfully signs Silva, he would join fellow countrymen Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot at Old Trafford, following in the footsteps of Victor Lindelof who made the move from Benfica to United in 2017.
Benfica's president, Rui Costa, is determined to keep Silva at the club beyond this summer and has him under contract until 2027. The young defender has already made 94 appearances for the club and helped them win the Primeira Liga title in his first full season.
Former Benfica teammate Jan Vertonghen has nothing but praise for Silva, predicting that he will become one of the best defenders in the world and a legend in the game. He believes that Silva has all the necessary qualities to reach that level within the next year or two.
Despite facing challenges in their pursuit of defensive reinforcements, Manchester United remains determined to strengthen their squad. Fans can stay up to date with all the latest news, exclusives, and analysis by signing up for updates on the club's website. The site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
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