Fulham are still trying to keep Marco Silva, but the Portuguese press now presents Benfica’s pursuit as the most advanced it has been so far.
Across reports from Record, Correio da Manhã and A Bola this Friday, the picture is clearer. Silva has not given Fulham his final answer yet. However, Benfica see him as their chosen target if José Mourinho leaves for Real Madrid.
Record go furthest on that point. They say Silva already knows he is the man wanted at the Estádio da Luz. The newspaper adds that, even without direct contact between Benfica and the Fulham manager, the Lisbon club believe the situation is under control.
That is partly because both Mourinho and Silva share the same agency link through Jorge Mendes. Record claim Benfica have mainly been controlling the situation through that route.
Fulham waiting for final answer
Marco Silva is still focused on Fulham’s final Premier League game against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Only after that match is he expected to sit down with Fulham officials and make his decision clear. Record state the London club have offered him another four years.
That fits with the recent line from Portugal that Fulham are making a major effort to convince him to stay, as we have previously covered. A Bola add that Silva could respond to the renewal offer by Sunday.
Correio da Manhã put Silva’s current salary at around €7m (£5.9m) net per year in London. Benfica, meanwhile, are prepared to go to around €5m (£4.2m), with the possibility of a signing bonus.
So the financial gap is clear. Benfica cannot match Fulham directly. Their hope is to sell Silva a different type of project.
Benfica sense opening
Marco Silva has already shown some openness to a return to Portugal. Correio da Manhã quote him as saying: “I won’t close the door on anything.”
The same outlet now claims Silva has already informed Fulham he wants another challenge. They also stress there is still no full agreement with Benfica, despite reports elsewhere suggesting a deal was close.
A Bola are more optimistic about Benfica’s position. They say negotiations with Silva have been well advanced after contacts over several weeks, and only the green light is missing for the decisive phase.
That final phase would include a contract of at least two years.
A Bola also state that Silva feels ready for a new challenge. The newspaper adds that he sees his Fulham cycle, which started in 2021, as coming towards an end.
There is another key detail from A Bola. Silva’s main concern is not simply money. He wants guarantees that Fulham are ready to make a strong investment in signings to raise the competitive level of the squad.
According to the newspaper, that did not happen last season, and Silva complained about it.
A Bola even frame the situation as one where “white smoke” could arrive at any moment, with Silva’s answer to Fulham and Benfica’s own next step now expected very soon.
Mourinho domino still holding everything
For Benfica, everything remains tied to Mourinho. Record say Rui Costa wants to resolve Mourinho’s future first. Only then will he move more concretely for Silva.
The same newspaper says the two dossiers are directly linked. Mourinho’s exit to Real Madrid must unlock the next step.
There is some disagreement in Portugal over the financial mechanism involved. Record refer to around €7m (£5.9m) as the figure needed to activate Mourinho’s exit clause, with Tuesday, May 26th as the deadline.
A Bola, meanwhile, put the clause at €3m (£2.5m), with Benfica needing to make a regulatory disclosure in Portugal before formally advancing for a new manager.
That difference should be noted carefully. What matters for Fulham is the wider picture: Benfica are preparing, but still waiting.
Record also bring another complication. With Enrique Riquelme entering the Real Madrid election race against Florentino Pérez, Mourinho’s official move to Madrid may not be announced quickly.
A Bola, however, say Benfica still expect movement by Sunday.
The alternatives to Silva
Correio da Manhã also mention Paulo Fonseca as another name admired by Benfica. Still, that route is difficult because he has a contract with Lyon until 2027 and has recently indicated he wants to stay there.
ESPN Brazil also mentioned that Brazilian manager and former left-back Filipe Luís was offered to Benfica, only to be rejected as he does not have the ‘playing profile’ Rui Costa is looking for. He was also linked to Fulham recently.
For Fulham, the next few days look decisive. They have offered money, security and a four-year deal. Benfica are offering status, pressure, a return home and the chance to rebuild one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
Silva now has to decide which challenge matters more.
