Manchester United are facing difficulties in their pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, leading them to explore other defensive options. One potential target is Benfica defender Antonio Silva. The 20-year-old is considered one of the best young defenders in Portuguese football and has an impressive release clause of €100m (£84.3m). However, United believes they can negotiate a lower price with Benfica.
Silva has been on United’s radar for some time, and scouts have been sent to watch him. If the transfer goes through, Silva would join fellow countrymen Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot at Old Trafford. Benfica president Rui Costa is determined to keep Silva at the club and has him tied to a contract until 2027.
Silva has already made 94 appearances for Benfica since his breakthrough in 2022 and played a crucial role in helping the team win the Primeira Liga title in his first full season. His former teammate at Benfica, Jan Vertonghen, has praised Silva’s potential, stating that he has the attributes to become one of the best defenders in the world in the coming years.
While United’s initial bid of £30m for De Ligt was rejected by Bayern, they remain determined to strengthen their defense before the transfer deadline. The club has already secured deals for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee this summer. However, landing a top-class defender like De Ligt or Silva would significantly bolster their backline.
It remains to be seen whether United can successfully negotiate a deal for Silva or if they will continue their pursuit of De Ligt. Either way, the club is actively working to address their defensive concerns and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.