Well, let’s start this one from the beginning. Since being signed by Benfica from Braga in the summer of 2016, Rafa Silva was never really able to reach his full potential.
The Lisbon side were patient when he couldn’t impress in his first season, so another chance was given. But when things seemed to be repeating in the start of his second year, then the rumours of a transfer started showing up.
Newspaper A Bola reported that Everton and Leicester were both keen on taking the player on a loan deal in the January window. But for some reason, things never went through, and Rafa stayed at Benfica.
It turned out to be a good thing for him, since the player has finally found some decent form at the club and impressed in the last three games.
That’s where his agent comes on. Yesterday, speaking to Radio Renascença, he revealed that the English clubs who wanted him in January are still interested.
Leicester and Everton weren’t named directly, but there’s a good chance they’re in the picture.
After speaking to Renascença, he gave an interview to newspaper O Jogo, and insisted on saying that this interest from England is real.
“It’s not bullshit talk, it’s a fact. The situations that we managed to get to the Benfica president were credible proposals, real, of English clubs that are still interested in taking him. It wasn’t just talk. Benfica understood that it was not the moment because they needed the player. We talked to Rafa, we told him to be patient and fight.”
So problem now is that the situation is completely different from January. Silva may have been close to a loan deal, but Benfica would certainly not let him leave so easily in case he keeps the good form. That’s why Everton and Leicester should follow the situation closely, as if he continues to grow, a lot of money will be needed to sign him in the summer.
