Liverpool are said to be keen on signing the 19-year-old central defender, Antonio Silva, from Benfica as a replacement for the departing Joel Matip.
The Reds are named alongside Manchester United, Real Madrid, and others as suitors for Silva. However, the defender wouldn’t be sold unless his €100 million buy-out clause fee is met.
Klopp has shown a ‘high interest’ in the Portuguese youngster and according to Dean Jones, the 19-year-old defender is ‘high on the wanted list’ at Anfield.
“Silva, 19, is high on Liverpool’s wanted list as they seek reinforcements in the summer to catapult them back into the Premier League title race conversation.”
The journalist reported that Benfica have given Silva a release clause that stands at £88 million. Silva has developed into a key player for Benfica. Moreover, he is even considered as one of the most talented young defenders in Europe right now.
At just 19 years of age, the Portuguese has played almost every minute of Benfica’s Champions League campaign. He has also tested his wits against PSG and Juventus along the way. However, with Benfica in the Quarter Finals of the competition, it would be interesting to see how far truly the 19-year-old has come this season.
The Eagles look to hold on to Silva but would be open to selling him if the £88 million buy-out clause is met.
Antonio Silva to Liverpool: how would he fare?
Liverpool could definitely use central defensive reinforcements in the summer, even though the midfield is the top priority for Klopp. Furthermore, the Portuguese defender could prove to be a quality long-term acquisition.
Besides, Joe Gomez is rumored to be leaving the club while it’s imminent that Matip would leave this summer. This leaves the Reds with Konate and Van Dijk to be the only reliable central defenders right now.
Silva looks like a terrific prospect and could be ideal to help Liverpool as they look for a long-term successor to Van Dijk. However, it remains to be seen if they will definitely emerge as the strongest candidate for his signature.
Since the Reds are currently not in a Champions League spot, it would be a major blow for most of their summer transfers, if it remains that way.
However, with no other competitions to focus on, Klopp’s men would surely be putting all their seeds in the PL basket and looking to finish in a Champions League spot.
Besides, Liverpool are looking for reinforcements in their midfield department and have been linked to Jude Bellingham for a long time now.
However, the Englishman is likely to cost more than €100 million. Hence, it would be interesting to see if Liverpool are willing to pay the release clause to bring in Silva.
I’m a football enthusiast and an avid writer and someone who lives by the Bill Shankly quote, on a day to day basis.
