Manchester United and Liverpool could end up spending £78m on Benfica’s teenage defender Antonio Silva as the two clubs look to improve their long-term central defense options. It has been suggested that the youngster will follow in the footsteps of Joao Felix and Ruben Dias by making a big move across Europe from the Lisbon-based outfit.
Silva has broken into Benfica’s first team this season despite being only 18 years old. He has already made 11 appearances in domestic competitions and the Champions League, as he quickly impresses at his club and other teams in world football, including United and Liverpool.
Benfica have a reputation for developing young talent, with Felix and Dias among those who have made big money moves from the Portuguese side in recent years. The forward joined Atletico Madrid in a £113m deal in 2019, while the centre-back moved to Premier League champions Manchester City in 2020 for around £51m plus Nicolas Otamendi.
Now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has advised Silva to follow in his footsteps in the future, suggesting he could one day cost as much as £78m.
“Remember the name: Antonio Silva,” he said. caught offside. “He is a great player for the future, of course he needs some time to improve his skills, but Benfica is convinced that he will be worth between 70 and 78 million pounds sterling in the future.
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Gareth Crooks questioned the durability of today’s centre-backs in his recent Team of the Week column, joking that Varane is made of biscuits.
“What’s wrong with Raphael Varane?” he asked. “He’s a good defender, but he’s made of cookies, he keeps breaking. Forwards used to get carried away after a tackle from a defender. Now the centre-backs get carried away after taking down a striker. What is he coming for?”
Whether or not United and Liverpool will make a move for Silva remains to be seen, but it seems clear he should be a name to monitor closely in the coming months and years.
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