Chelsea have made an attempt to sign Benfica youngster António Silva with a €60m+ offer, but found the door firmly closed on them.
That’s according to A Bola, who cover reports in the English press about interest from Manchester United and ‘above all’ Chelsea, regarding interest in the defender.
Reports had indicated that both sides were watching the 20-year-old this month and potentially thinking about a move, but A Bola say that ‘will be very unlikely’ as Benfica have no interest in losing the youngster before the end of the season.
They’ve already responded to requests for him by pointing to the €100m release clause in his current contract, which expires in 2027.
Therefore, Manchester United and Chelsea would need to at least get close to that figure for a January move.
Chelsea, for example, tried to seduce Benfica with an offer worth more than €60m but that was unsuccessful.
They value Silva much more than that given he’s been a member of their first team since last season and is on the way to establishing himself with the national team as well.
They expect him to keep on rising and be a star of the future, so €60m wouldn’t cut it and it seems Chelsea were sent packing because of it.
A transfer of such magnitude is, as A Bola state, unlikely in the winter market and Chelsea and Manchester United will almost certainly have to wait.
