Thursday News Now- Deal already prepared- Manchester United have reportedly submitted a £40M bid to sign ‘brilliant’ Dutch star who has been very impressive in the league this season- player wants Premier League experience and also sees United as the perfect club to establish himself very well
Manchester United remains active in the transfer market, focusing on bolstering their defense by targeting another central defender. Following their pursuit of Leny Yoro, the club has now set its sights on Antonio Silva, a name that has resurfaced in recent discussions.
According to a report in today’s edition of O Jogo, a prominent Portuguese newspaper, Manchester United is exploring the possibility of signing Silva amid challenging negotiations with Bayern Munich and Everton for other defensive targets, Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite, respectively.
The report, which references British sources, indicates that Bayern Munich is demanding a hefty fee of 50 million euros for De Ligt. However, United is hesitant to meet this valuation, deeming it too high. Concurrently, Everton has rebuffed several offers from United for Branthwaite, prompting the Red Devils to shift their focus to Silva.
Earlier in the summer, Correio da Manha reported United’s interest in Silva, emphasizing that the Portuguese club would only sell if the player’s release clause, set at 100 million euros (approximately £84 million), was triggered. Despite this, the latest update from O Jogo suggests that Manchester United believes a more economical deal could be reached for Silva, potentially bypassing the steep release clause.
The central question for Manchester United now is determining the acceptable financial limit for acquiring Silva. The club has already decided not to pay £42 million for De Ligt and had a £50 million bid for Branthwaite rejected. This caution reflects their strategic approach in the transfer market, balancing the need for quality reinforcements with financial prudence.
It’s worth noting that Manchester United recently completed a significant deal, securing the services of Leny Yoro from Lille for £59 million. This acquisition underscores their commitment to strengthening the squad under manager Erik ten Hag.
Antonio Silva, a young and promising defender, played a crucial role in Benfica’s triumphant Liga Nos campaign in the 2022-23 season. Additionally, he represented Portugal at the European Championships, gaining valuable international experience. As Manchester United deliberates on the appropriate offer for Silva, the player’s potential to bolster their defensive line remains a key consideration.
