Fabrizio Romano has responded to reports that Liverpool want to sign Benfica’s teenaged defender Antonio Silva.
The journalist addressed the rumours whilst writing for Caught Offside. Romano said that, although he’d seen reports of interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, there’s nothing concrete at the moment.
“Remember the name: Antonio Silva. He’s a top player for the future. Of course he needs some time to improve his skills but Benfica are convinced he will be worth €80-90m [£70m-£79m] in the future,” he said.
“I’ve seen some reports of Liverpool and Manchester United looking at him. For sure, top clubs are following him but it’s important to say that there’s still nothing serious or concrete, as of now. He is still developing as a player, but let’s see where he is in a few years, the future looks bright for him.”
At just eighteen, Silva is already a regular in the Champions League for Benfica. He could be yet another off the Portuguese club’s long list of expensive exports.
Silva making a name for himself in Portugal
Silva only broke into the Benfica first team this season. Since making his debut, he’s started 11 games for them across the Primeira Liga and the Champions League.
His good form has led to suggestions that he could even be included in Portugal’s World Cup squad next month.
That would be quite the ascent for the teenager. It’s not a surprise to hear his name being linked with a move away.
Liverpool are not currently in the market for a centre-back. But seeing as though Silva is only eighteen, it could be a year or two until he’s ready for a move.
By that stage, Liverpool will need be starting to look for successors to Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip. His price may have rocketed by then, but it’s worth keeping an eye on Silva nonetheless.
As we know by now, the Reds are constantly monitoring the Portuguese league. They’ve already had success in brining Luis Diaz from Porto, and it now looks as though Darwin Nunez will turn out to be a hit, too.
Those two transfers will likely show them that it is possible to take a player directly from a ‘lesser’ league.
As a result, it stands to reason that Liverpool will be keeping an eye on emerging talents in Portugal. Right now, there aren’t many emerging with quite as much authority as Silva. One to watch, certainly.
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