- Newcastle United interested in Antonio Silva
- Benfica star entering last year of contract & available at cut price
- Why the Portuguese centre-back could be perfect for Magpies
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in bringing Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva to the club this summer. The Portuguese has a £100m release clause but is thought to be available for as little as £40m.
The Magpies have been interested in Silva in the past, but at 22 years old and with a seemingly discounted price, now could mark the most plausible opportunity to get a deal done.
Currently, Newcastle are one of the only clubs to have been linked to the centre-back and could look to get over the line quickly to prevent competition.
Silva favouring a move away?
Silva is a product of Benfica’s academy and has spent his entire career at the club to this point. But there is growing speculation that his future could lie away from the Portuguese giants.
Benfica have offered the 22-year-old a new contract ahead of the summer window, but Silva has rejected the proposed terms so far. Silva missed out on Roberto Martínez’s Portugal squad for the World Cup this summer and could be plotting a move away from Benfica to further his career.
Following the conclusion of this season, Silva has entered the final year of his contract, and reports out of Benfica suggest he could be available for as little as £40m, despite his £100m release clause.
Silva perfect for Newcastle project
Newcastle are set for a big summer, with a high turnover expected in Eddie Howe‘s playing squad.
The club has already been vocal about wanting to reduce the average age of the squad, and the signing of another centre back to bolster options is thought to be in the plans.
Given Silva’s profile as a 22-year-old, he would be perfect in adhering to that recruitment strategy.
Not only that but the Portuguese would be a perfect fit stylistically for an Eddie Howe team. He stands at 6’2″ and is an exceptionally dominant physical presence.
On top of that, Silva has the ability to play on either side of the centre-back partnership seamlessly, and his ball-playing abilities could lend themselves to Newcastle’s transition toward a more possession-heavy team.
If Antonio Silva is available for a fee of £40m, which is a steal in the modern climate, signing him seems to be almost a no-brainer if the Magpies can get a deal done without a competitive saga.
