Aston Villa and Newcastle United in for Silva as mega-millions update drops
Aston Villa have expressed an interest in signing Benfica defender Antonio Silva ahead of the January transfer window, TEAMtalk reports.
According to the news outlet's website [11 December], Benfica president Rui Costa will discuss the centre-back's long-term future in the coming days.
Unai Emery is pressing ahead with plans to bolster the defensive ranks at Villa Park with a new right-back and centre-back among the list of priorities.
However, Benfica are prepared to sanction a loan move for Silva with an option to purchase clause of £41million, altering the interest of Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid and Juventus, with the latter believed to be leading the race for his signature.
Aston Villa could make a statement with Antonio Silva signing
Aston Villa could sanction an almighty bargain by signing Antonio Silva.
The 21-year-old is widely considered one of the hottest prospects in Europe, and despite his reputation, he finds himself on the fringes in Portugal.
Silva has been restricted to only five Liga Portugal appearances this term, and the Portuguese international is eager to depart for pastures new in search of regular first-team football.
Emery wants a new centre-back in January - that is a given - Joel Ordonez has given his seal of approval to a future move to the Premier League and has been impressing in the Champions League with Club Brugge.
Fikayo Tomori is another viable option. The Englishman is expected to be available in January, and AC Milan is prepared to accept a cut-price fee to sanction his departure from Italy [Calciomercato].
However, opportunities to sign a player of Silva's calibre do not come around often, and Aston Villa cannot afford not to do everything in their power to convince the defender that his future lies at Villa Park.
Although the competition for his services is set to be fierce, Villa are now an established Champions League outfit and could tempt Silva with regular Premier League and European football, all without the immediate obligation of a permanent acquisition - it is a no-brainer.
In other Aston Villa news, Roberto Martinez makes big Ross Barkley claim at Villa after the win against RB Leipzig.