In a recent report, Jornal de Noticias (via Sport Witness) claimed that Newcastle United are preparing to move in for Benfica defender Antonio Silva. It is believed that the Magpies are hoping to make a move worth €50m for the Portuguese centre-back this summer.
Silva’s Impressive Rise In Portuguese Football
Silva has come through the youth ranks of Benfica and did well to establish himself as a key member of their first team. The 20-year-old participated in 50 matches for the Portuguese outfit last season, netting a couple of goals in multiple competitions.
The talented youngster has been a consistent performer on the defensive third of the pitch based on his average of 2.1 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.0 clearances per game in Liga Portugal. He has even been tidy when distributing the ball from the back after making 93.1% of his attempted passes in the Portuguese top tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Portuguese club will expire in the summer of 2027 which could make it difficult for Newcastle to get a deal done for him on the cheap later this year.
Should Newcastle United Boss Eddie Howe Snap Silva Up This Summer?
Silva loves a tackle and can sense the danger well on the defensive end of the field. He usually makes some important interceptions for his team inside his half and doesn’t mind putting his foot through the ball when needed.
Standing at 1.87m, Silva can use his strong frame to win a few 50-50 aerial duels for his team. However, he is still quite raw and would need time to settle into life in the Premier League if the Magpies manage to get him on board this summer.
We can expect Silva to bring more quality to Newcastle boss Eddie Howe’s defence in the long run. He is good enough to fight for a starting spot at the Tyneside club next season. However, Howe has to be patient with his progress before he can get the best out of the Portuguese prospect at St. James’ Park. All in all, the Magpies would be wise to try everything they can to snap Silva up before the end of this transfer window.