Report: Liverpool and Manchester City among European giants linked with Primeira Liga teenager

Liverpool are interested in Benfica defender Antonio Silva with Manchester City also keen

Liverpool’s issues in defence and midfield are out in the open after this season’s off-beat performance. As the situation would normally corner the recruitment team to do, the Reds are showing interest in centre-back Antonio Silva of SL Benfica as per O Jogo (h/t Liverpool Echo

Alongside the Reds, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping close tabs on the situation of the player. Silva has made 12 appearances for Benfica across all competitions up to now, all coming in this season.

The Reds have a good number of centre-backs in their lineup including Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Nathaniel Phillips. Sepp van den Berg and Rhys Williams are also options for the future, both of whom are currently out on loan.

As far as Manchester City are concerned, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake alongside Ruben Dias make up the centre-back position. Interestingly, Dias made the move to City after three years with SL Benfica.

Antonio and Merseyside

The player has a €100m release clause in his contract as well. Obviously, with Man City’s financial strength, they could trigger the clause and negotiate with the player. Liverpool on the other hand do not have the same spending power and would have to negotiate a price which the club could afford as well.

Having made his first-team debut for the Portuguese giants this season, the 18-year-old centre-back is now attracting attention from top European sides. However, the said report also adds that Benfica are unwilling to negotiate with any team presently for Silva.

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At just18, Silva has a huge career ahead of him and with his performance against Europe’s elite clubs, he is showing signs of a bright future. Presently though, there is still a lot of work to be done for the young Portugal international as he makes his name in the game.