Dean Jones has reported on Give Me Sport that Tottenham are being ‘recommended’ to bid for Benfica defender Antonio Silva ahead of the January window – amid reports that Liverpool also want to sign the teenage centre-back.
Silva, 19, has been called-up to Portugal’s senior squad alongside Cristiano Ronaldo despite only 18 first-team outings for Benfica. He has scored three goals – once against Juventus in the Champions League, and a brace in the League.
His form is attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe. The no.66 is being considered as one of the best young defenders in European football. Fabrizio Romano said that both Liverpool and Manchester United are interested.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola claim that an unnamed English club are preparing an offer of £52million to sign Silva. Now, Jones reports that that English club could in fact be Tottenham – who have been recommended the youngster.
Tottenham recommended Benfica defender Silva, Liverpool interested
It does not seem like a signing Antonio Conte would get behind. There is no doubt that Silva has enormous potential, but Conte is all about the here and now. He would rather have a player that can go straight into his starting XI.
Tottenham still need improvements at centre-back. Cristian Romero is excellent, Eric Dier has improved but his form of late in the middle of the back three – or on the right – has been questionable. Ben Davies is consistently decent.
But they need a player like Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan, who they have constantly been linked with. He has the ability to go straight into the Spurs side and improve Conte’s team. Silva would take time, he would need nurturing.
So, yes, a wonderful talent. But at just 19 and with only 18 games under his belt, hardly a Conte-type signing. If he is going to cost north of £50million, then that money would be better served buying a player ready to start for Spurs.
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