Liverpool are firming up their interest in Benfica’s teenage defender Antonio Silva.
The Reds have recently been tentatively linked with a move for Silva. But now, according to A Bola via Calciomercato, the 19-year-old has become a ‘concrete target.’
Liverpool will reportedly follow up their interest by making contact with Benfica after the World Cup. It’s claimed that only once the tournament has been completed will negotiations ‘come alive.’
Silva, who played 90 minutes in Portugal’s 2-1 loss to South Korea last week, is said to be on the market for around £45m.
Silva in good company on the Portugal bench
Silva has been enjoying a burgeoning reputation within European football. Having broken into a spectacular Benfica team, he looks primed to become another money-spinner for the Lisbon side.
It had even been rumoured that PSG were ready to part with £90m to sign the youngster [le10sport]. Following his impressive displays in the Champions League this season, Jamie Carragher even labelled him as a ‘potential superstar.’
Silva certainly looks to have a big future, that’s for certain.
However, so far, this hasn’t translated to game time at the World Cup. With doubts over veteran Pepe’s fitness heading to Qatar, there may have been some expectation that Silva would play alongside Ruben Dias at centre-back.
As it turns out, 39-year-old Pepe is still as fit as ever. The legendary defender even got on the scoresheet last night, as Portugal demolished Switzerland 6-1.
Just like three of the four games so far, that was a match that Silva watched from the bench.
Unless anything should happen to Pepe, Dias or Danilo Perriera for the remainder of the tournament, that’s probably where he’ll stay. But with Cristiano Ronaldo now benched for Portugal, at least he’s in good company!
Silva could yet return to Benfica as a World Cup winner at just nineteen. But without regular game time during the tournament, his value is unlikely to have changed much during the tournament. That could be good news for Liverpool.
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