Benfica will not allow Rafa Silva to leave the club for €17m when the transfer opens, a source has told Sport Witness.
Over the weekend, reports fromEngland suggested Newcastle United are lining up a €17m bid for Silva, even though he’s valued at €13m more than what the Magpies are ready to offer.
The 26-year-old signed an extension with the Portuguese side last summer and his current deal runs down in 2024.
A source has told Sport Witness that Benfica president Luís Filipe Vieira is unlikely to accept an offer of €17m for Silva.
The Primeira Liga club’s chief would probably need around €30m to consider the possibility of selling the player and this figure may vary, depending upon the financial losses Benfica must suffer due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Newcastle, who have been interested in Silva in the past, have not made an official approach to sign the attacker. The Tyneside club are told to meet Benfica’s demands, if they have any plan to land him.
The Portugal international is loved at Benfica and he is also happy with his current employer.
However, the prospect of playing the Premier League appeals and apart from Steve Bruce’s side, there are other unnamed English clubs looking at him.
Silva scored 21 goals in all competitions for Benfica last season, while he managed nine goals and six assists this term. He was out of action for close to three months due to ab abductor muscle injury this season.
