Man Utd in pole position to sign €100m future 'legend'

Cameron Smith

18 Mar 2024 12:44 GMT
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, money — © IMAGO

Manchester United are reportedly in prime position to sign Benfica wonderkid Antonio Silva this summer, although his €100 million release clause may prove to be an issue.

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The 20-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away and he is expected to leave Portugal at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli have all expressed their interest in Silva following his immense start to life in senior football, but Man Utd are leading the way.

Chelsea recently sent scouts to watch him in action for Benfica, while Bayern are pushing to sign him. However, GiveMeSport have reported that Man Utd are the most “well-prepared” to sign Silva, with Erik ten Hag hoping to bolster his backline this summer.

Raphael Varane has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, Lisandro Martinez cannot be relied upon from a fitness perspective and West Ham United remain keen on Harry Maguire. As a result, Man Utd are aiming to sign at least one new centre-back when the summer transfer window opens.

FootballTransfers understands that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is the Red Devils’ priority, with the Toffees setting a £75 million asking price for their star defender. Branthwaite was recently called up to England’s senior national team for the first time and he is regarded as one of the country’s most promising young talents.

Despite this, Silva reportedly remains a target for Man Utd and a move to Old Trafford has been deemed as his most likely next step.

What has been said about Antonio Silva?

Former Benfica defender Jan Vertonghen recently admitted that Silva is ready to become one of the best players in his position.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur star told CNN Portugal (via TalkSPORT): “At the beginning of the season he [Nicolas Otamendi] started playing with Morato, who is a very good player, but then, because of the injuries they had to put the kid Antonio Silva, but the boy [Silva] will be a legend.

“If he keeps doing what he’s been doing, he has everything to be one of the best defenders in the world in a year or two.”