Manchester United will soon intensify their efforts to sign SL Benfica’s €100 million-rated defender Antonio Silva, a target for Real Madrid.
According to a report by O Jogo, as relayed by Sport Witness, Antonio Silva is the subject of interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils should soon ramp up their efforts to sign the Portuguese international, whose release clause is worth €100 million. Meanwhile, the SL Benfica centre-back is also a target for Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.
The rise and rise of Antonio Silva
Antonio Silva has been among the best young defenders in the world in the last few years. A native of Viseu, the 20-year-old joined SL Benfica in 2016 after spending a year at his hometown club. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength at the fabled Portuguese club.
Silva broke into the Portuguese national team in November 2022 and has since been a regular for his club and country. The young centre-back has turned out nine times for the Seleccao while making nearly 100 appearances for SL Benfica, chipping in with seven goals. Meanwhile, his progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs.
Bigwigs from the Premier League, La Liga, and the Bundesliga are keen on securing Antonio Silva’s services in the summer transfer window. The latest update names Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain as his prospective suitors. Meanwhile, Silva’s contract with Benfica has a release clause worth €100 million.
A big move beckons?
Manchester United’s interest in Antonio Silva is understandable. Raphael Varane will depart from Old Trafford as a free agent on July 1. In addition, Jonny Evans faces an uncertain future at Manchester United heading into the summer transfer window. So, Silva is a viable target, with the Red Devils ready to intensify their efforts to sign him.
As for Real Madrid, Nacho might depart from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window. In addition, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are on the wrong side of 30. So, it behoves Real Madrid to invest in a young, top-class centre-back in the coming weeks, making Silva an option worth considering.
Paris Saint-Germain will also provide stiff competition, with Les Parisiens having the financial security to afford a move worth €100 million for the Portuguese international. However, with Manchester United considering stepping up the efforts to sign the 20-year-old, it will be interesting to see if a summer move to Old Trafford sees the light of day.
