Newcastle United’s failed attempt to sign António Silva last year is now being viewed very differently in Portugal.
Back in the summer of 2024, Benfica rejected a major proposal from the Magpies for the defender. As we covered at the time, Newcastle offered €35m (£29.5m) plus another €15m (£12.7m) in bonuses tied to objectives.
At the time, Benfica still viewed António Silva as one of the club’s untouchable assets.
Less than two years later, the situation has changed dramatically.
The 22-year-old finished this season behind Nicolás Otamendi and Tomás Araújo in the pecking order. Even in Benfica’s final league match, after Otamendi returned from suspension, António Silva was left on the bench and unused.
Now Portuguese newspaper A Bola are openly questioning whether Benfica will ever receive an offer comparable to Newcastle’s again.
Newcastle offer revisited as Benfica tensions grow
The report explains António Silva’s relationship with Benfica has deteriorated over recent months.
A Bola state the Portugal international felt “overtaken and unsupported” during the campaign after losing prominence inside the squad.
The newspaper also says renewal talks have been stalled for a long time. Furthermore, the defender was unhappy with how Benfica handled the process.
As we covered just yesterday, Record reported Benfica president Rui Costa was prepared to offer António Silva a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2027. Additionally, he was even ready to hand him the captain’s armband following Otamendi’s departure.
However, A Bola now suggest that may not be enough.
The newspaper claims António Silva wants much more than financial improvements – Benfica are prepared to offer around €2m (£1.7m) net per year – and is also demanding sporting guarantees the club currently cannot provide.
Part of that uncertainty comes from the managerial situation. José Mourinho is expected to leave Benfica for Real Madrid. This leaves doubts around the club’s sporting direction heading into next season.
Newcastle United may feel timing was ahead of the curve
Newcastle United’s interest in António Silva was already strong before this latest fallout.
A Bola again mention the Magpies among the clubs who seriously pushed for the defender. Alongside them is Juventus, who remain interested. The Italian side are described as attractive to the player because of the possibility of experiencing one of Europe’s major leagues.
Still, Newcastle’s previous bid now looks significant in another way.
The defender was younger, more established internally and still viewed as a guaranteed pillar of Benfica’s future when the Premier League side made their move. Since then, his standing inside the squad has weakened considerably.
Now Benfica are left trying to convince António Silva that he still represents the club’s future.
But according to A Bola, even the promise of becoming captain may no longer be enough after everything that has happened over the past two seasons. And that’s good news for Newcastle.
