“Manchester United Turns Attention to Benfica’s Antonio Silva in Search for Defensive Reinforcements
Manchester United has set its sights on Benfica defender Antonio Silva as a potential alternative to Jarrad Branthwaite. The 20-year-old Portuguese center-back has been on United’s radar for some time, and the club is now exploring the possibility of signing him.
With Everton reluctant to sell Branthwaite, United has turned its attention to Silva, who has a release clause of £84 million. However, it’s believed that Benfica would be willing to accept a lower offer, with reports suggesting that a bid of £42 million could be enough to secure his services.
Silva has previously spoken about his desire to stay at Benfica, but the prospect of joining a top Premier League club like Manchester United could be too good to turn down. United needs to offload some players to balance the books before making a formal bid, but Silva is definitely a viable option.
The signing of Silva would be a coup for United, who are looking to bolster their defensive options this summer. With Branthwaite seemingly out of reach, Silva could be the perfect alternative.
United’s defensive struggles last season were well-documented, and the club is keen to address those issues before the new campaign gets underway. Silva’s arrival would provide a welcome boost to Erik ten Hag’s squad, and his age and potential make him an attractive prospect for the long-term.
Benfica, however, may not be willing to let Silva go without a fight. The Portuguese club has a history of developing young talent and selling them on for big profits, but they also have a strong desire to compete with the best teams in Europe. Losing Silva could be a blow to their ambitions, and they may try to hold out for a higher price.
Despite the potential hurdles, United is confident that they can secure Silva’s signature. The club has a strong relationship with Benfica, having signed Victor Lindelof from the Portuguese club in 2017, and they are hopeful that this will help smooth the negotiations. With the transfer window heating up, United fans will be watching developments closely.”