Newcastle United’s pursuit of António Silva is continuing to cast a shadow over Benfica’s attempts to secure the defender’s future.
The Magpies saw a major bid rejected for the centre-back in 2024. Fresh reports from Portugal now suggest that episode is influencing the contract negotiations currently taking place in Lisbon.
According to A Bola, Benfica have made their opening renewal offer to the 22-year-old. However, the proposal has failed to convince either the player or those around him.
The newspaper reports Benfica’s first offer is worth around €1.2m (£1m) net per season. While that would represent an increase on his current salary, it remains well below what António Silva and his camp expected. That gap is becoming a serious obstacle in negotiations.
Newcastle move remains important reference point
A Bola explain that António Silva wants to move closer to the salaries earned by Benfica’s most important players. In fact, figures nearer to €2m (£1.7m) net per year are seen as a more appropriate target.
The report then makes a Newcastle reference. According to the newspaper, António Silva could already have reached that salary level had Benfica allowed him to complete a move to Newcastle or Juventus. This was when both clubs made significant approaches.
In recent weeks, Portuguese reports have claimed the defender felt overlooked and unsupported after dropping behind Nicolás Otamendi and Tomás Araújo in the pecking order.
Benfica have since attempted to repair the relationship through renewal talks and discussions over a future leadership role within the squad.
However, A Bola suggest the first financial proposal has not helped matters.
The report states neither António Silva’s family nor his representatives at Gestifute were impressed by Benfica’s opening offer.
Benfica need the defender more than ever
One of the more striking details from the report is Benfica’s current dependence on the player.
Despite spending much of last season behind Otamendi and Tomás Araújo in the hierarchy, António Silva is now described as the only truly established centre-back available for the start of pre-season preparations.
Otamendi has left the club, Benfica are actively looking to sign new central defenders, and Marco Silva is expected to arrive needing immediate stability in that area of the pitch.
That strengthens António Silva’s position considerably. A Bola says the player is now “holding all the cards”.
The defender is just days away from entering the final year of his contract. From January 2027, he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement elsewhere. At that point, Benfica would have very limited leverage.
Renewal remains possible
Despite the tensions, the report makes clear that a contract extension has not been ruled out. António Silva is still open to remaining at Benfica, but his decision will not depend solely on salary.
A Bola explain that the defender also wants sporting guarantees regarding his role in the team. Additionally, he seeks assurance about his importance within the project and the possibility of becoming one of the club’s leaders after Otamendi’s departure.
Benfica are expected to return with an improved proposal once the player comes back from his holidays.
The club are reportedly prepared to be flexible. Therefore, discussions could include a five-year contract running until 2031, progressive salary increases, ambitious performance bonuses and even a reduction of the current €100m (£85m) release clause.
At the same time, A Bola note that the market has changed since Newcastle and Juventus first pushed for the defender. Financial spending across Europe has slowed, while António Silva’s absence from the World Cup has done little to boost his profile internationally.
That means there is uncertainty on both sides. And that’s why they are trying to convince him to stay a bit longer. But the salary level he believes he could already have earned in the Premier League continues to hang over negotiations.
