Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton were reportedly keen to rescue Rafa Silva from his Primeira Liga nightmare at Benfica.
Rafa Silva looked likely to be the latest Portuguese starlet to join Jorge Mendes’ Wolves revolution in the January transfer window, as reported by Record.
The so-called Iberian Eden Hazard became the second most expensive player in Benfica’s history when they paid Braga £14.5 million during the summer of 2016. But Rafa had not exactly lived up to expectations at the Estadio da Luz. So much so that he was left out of Rui Vitoria’s squad on a number of occasions earlier in the season.
It was a surprise, then, when the transfer window slammed shut and Rafa was still in Portugal. Although as it stands, it seems that it was probably the right call.
Because Rafa has shown signs of kick-starting a Benfica career that looked doomed just a few weeks ago. All four of his Primeira Liga starts in 2017/18 have come in February and he capped his recent resurgence with a goal in a superb performance away to Pacos de Ferreira on Saturday.
The Portuguese international is without doubt enjoying his best spell as a Benfica player.
And, with Wolves’ form stuttering in the Championship and Everton still lacking that creative spark and speed in the final third, Rafa’s sudden return to form only rubs salt into their respective wounds.
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