In a recent print edition, Record has mentioned that Newcastle United are among several clubs hoping to land Benfica winger Rafa Silva this summer. It has been reported that the Magpies could face competition from Everton in the race to secure the signature of the Portuguese wide player in this offseason (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Silva’s Brilliant Form In Portugal This Season
Silva is having a brilliant campaign in Portuguese football as he has managed to be consistent in terms of his overall productivity for Benfica in the final third. The 27-year-old has participated in 40 matches for the Portuguese giants this term, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists in various competitions.
The Portuguese playmaker has given a good account of himself in both halves by averaging 1.4 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 1.3 shots, 1.6 key passes and 3.8 dribbles per game in the Liga NOS this season. He has even taken care of the ball well when distributing it from the right flank after completing 81.3% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Portuguese football (stats via whoscored).
Silva is under contract at Estádio Sport Lisboa e Benfica until the summer of 2024, so the Magpies will have to make a big-money offer if they are to stand a chance of bringing him to St. James’ Park during this summer transfer window.
Will Silva Be A Good Option For The Magpies?
Silva has electric pace under his belt and can complete some dangerous dribbles with the ball out on the wide areas. He is versatile enough to play in multiple positions across the frontline. The 20-time Portugal international is primarily a right-sided winger but can also play on the right flank or assume the duties of an attacking midfielder down the middle.
A wide player of Silva’s pace and versatility will be an excellent option for the Tyneside outfit to consider when the transfer window commences later this year. He will add a lot of goals and creativity to Steve Bruce’s attack and could form a great attacking partnership with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron at Tyneside in the coming seasons.
However, Bruce could struggle to find the funds to engineer a move to land the Benfica attacker this summer as the Magpies simply are in no position to go on a bidding war with other clubs for a promising winger like Silva during this summer transfer period.
