In May of last year, Newcastle were said to be tracking Benfica winger Rafa Silva for a summer move. The link came via Silva’s agent Antonio Araujo, who said the following at the time:
“They – Newcastle – are one of those teams interested.
“Whatever happens, will happen. Now, the main focus is to be a Champion in Portugal.
“Benfica know what Rafa (Silva) wants in terms of a new contract, so we are waiting calmly.
“I think it’s going to happen because there is a will from the club and there is Rafa’s will as well.
“The player is well at Benfica, now he wants to see his salary situation go to what he [feels he] really represents for Benfica.”
From these quotes, it appears that Newcastle, then coached by Rafa Benitez, were interested in the Portuguese international. However, the player seemed to prefer signing a new deal with Benfica.
Silva was having a tremendous campaign for the eventual Portuguese champions. Last season he scored 21 goals in his 44 appearances while adding 6 assists.
The 26-year-old was handed his new deal in June, and it was for five years to 2024.
Rafa renova até 2024!
? https://t.co/m8Flqq0u5S#Rafa2024 #TodosContam pic.twitter.com/YZqiVDsAAn
— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) June 12, 2019
The Daily Mail are reporting that Newcastle still have the winger on their radar and are mulling a £15m offer for him this summer.
The report claims that Benfica value Silva at £25m but that Newcastle may be able to tempt them into selling at the £15m mark.
This all depends, of course, on how much the global coronavirus crisis impacts both clubs financially. Newcastle have furloughed their recruitment team so Silva could be a player Nickson still has identified as a prominent target.
He joined Benfica in 2016 from Braga and has been capped by Portugal 17 times. This season he’s scored 9 goals with 6 assists in 25 appearances but missed over two months from October to January with a torn abductor muscle.
The report also claims that Silva is ready for a new challenge despite just signing his contract less than a year ago.
Silva would add a much-needed creative spark in the final third. He’s also a versatile forward who can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder.
He could be a bargain if Newcastle can bring him in for just £15m, which could be realistic if transfer fees are driven down this summer.
124 comments so far
SPRINGY
Apr 12, 2020 at 10:06 AM
Comment #121Morning all…more non informative information about takeover yet again popping up…sick of the crap that comes out everyday…close,not close…ganna sell,not ganna sell,ashley ganna scupper the deal,ashley wants a deal…all crap… only thing that’s true is ashley is only ganna sell for what he wants for the club,not a cheaper offer..so any offers, negotiations,side deals are just gossip and utter drivel….rant over,day off and bored already,as u myt guess! Lol …hope everyone is staying well.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Apr 12, 2020 at 10:06 AM
Comment #122Ron,
I suspect the new labo*r guy will win. I don’t know anything at all about him, whether he’s good or bad, but it was telling his first interview was with a Murdoch paper. Last time a Labo*r leader did that it was Blair. I suspect he will get an easy ride from the right wing papers and in return he will scratch their back. They may even be planning to get behind him if the t*ries get a backlash for having the worst results in Europe. I think they will try to blame anyone they can first, but it seems to have backfired them trying to blame the footballers so people are wisening up to the blame game.
hibbit
Apr 12, 2020 at 10:10 AM
Comment #123Ron
The Labour party are already shooting themselves in the foot with the loony lefts incessant ill thought out ravings, instead of Sir Keir Starmer being able to pull them together and forming a viable opposition, there hell bent on driving a wedge through the middle, till that problem is sorted out its always going to be a problem for any Labour lead to lead and challenge the government
geordietom
Apr 12, 2020 at 10:14 AM
Comment #124bus moved …