According to the Portuguese outlet Record, Manchester United are showing keen interest in acquiring the services of Benfica defender Antonio Silva.
The 19-year-old centre-back has rapidly progressed since his debut last year and has become one of the most highly sought-after young talents in football.
The Portuguese star has already established himself as a regular player for both his club and his national team. While there is growing interest in a big-money move, he doesn’t appear overly satisfied by the prospect of joining the Premier League, with Real Madrid being his preferred choice.
Madrid have also expressed interest in him, but currently, Silva is happy with his position at Benfica and aspires to become the team’s captain.
He has no intentions of pushing for a move away from Benfica but is willing to consider offers if the club decides to entertain the possibility of his sale in the future.
Any club interested in signing the youngster may need to activate his €120 million release clause as per his contract terms.
Silva made his debut in September 2022, emerging as a vital figure in Benfica’s defence following an injury crisis.
This season, his performance in the Primeira Liga has been outstanding, boasting a remarkable 94 per cent pass completion rate, along with 3.4 tackles and 6.1 duels won per game, and four clearances.
At just 19 years old, Silva possesses the qualities necessary to become a world-class defender, earning comparisons to the likes of ‘new Ruben Dias’ with the potential to excel even further.
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United should prioritize Silva as their main target for the upcoming summer transfer window. While Benfica can be challenging to negotiate with, they might be open to a long-term deal, which would help the Red Devils adhere to Financial Fair Play regulations.
Whether the English giants can persuade Silva to join them may depend on Real Madrid’s efforts to secure his services as well.
