Fulham fans might remember what Marco Silva said when he was unveiled by Benfica.
The Portuguese coach insisted he wasn’t planning to raid his former club for transfer targets this summer. A few days later, however, Harry Wilson’s name continues to be mentioned whenever Benfica’s recruitment plans are discussed.
That’s happened again on Thursday, with Correio da Manhã reporting the Welshman is among the winger options being considered by the Portuguese giants as Silva tries to solve an early-season headache.
Benfica already have a problem
According to the newspaper, Marco Silva is worried about Benfica’s lack of options out wide. This is ahead of their first competitive match of the season against St. Gallen in the Europa League on July 23.
Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio are both away at the World Cup and, according to the report, Silva intends to give all Benfica players involved in the tournament 15 days of holiday once they return, regardless of how far their countries go.
That means neither player is guaranteed to be available for the opening fixtures.
Bruma is still working his way back from a lengthy injury layoff. He is also being linked with a move away. Meanwhile, Tiago Gouveia has returned from his loan spell at Nice. However, he is not certain to remain beyond the summer.
Gianluca Prestianni would have been another option, but he still has suspension games to serve following his disciplinary case involving Vinícius Júnior in last season’s Champions League.
In short, Benfica need wingers.
Wilson link refuses to go away
That is where Harry Wilson enters the picture again. Correio da Manhã say the Fulham player is one of the names being discussed internally. This is alongside Deportivo La Coruña’s Yeremay Hernández and Saint-Étienne winger Zuriko Davitashvili.
The link is hardly surprising. Earlier this month, Portuguese reports claimed Silva wanted to reunite with the winger in Lisbon. Despite this, he publicly insisted later he was not looking to bring Fulham players with him.
The timing may be helping to keep the rumours alive. Wilson’s contract situation is still unresolved. Therefore, he could become available on a free transfer if no new agreement is reached at Craven Cottage.
For a Benfica side suddenly looking for solutions before the season even starts, that is naturally an attractive situation.
And despite Silva’s comments at his Benfica presentation, Harry Wilson’s name keeps popping up whenever the Portuguese press discuss Benfica’s search for new wingers.
