Newcastle reportedly eye £15m deal for player Benitez and Middlesbrough wanted

Follow us on Google Discover

Benfica’s Rafa Silva is reportedly on Newcastle United’s radar.

According to The Sun, Newcastle United are interested in signing Rafa Silva from Benfica in the summer transfer window.

It has been reported by the British tabloid that Newcastle are aiming to strike a £15 million deal with Portuguese giants Benfica over the transfer of the attacking midfielder.

The Magpies were hoping to scout him further this season, but the global health crisis has put that plan on hold due to the suspension of football, according to the report.

It has also been claimed that the 26-year-old has been looking for a possible move away from Benfica this summer.

Stats

According to WhoScored, Silva has made 13 starts and two substitute appearances in the Portuguese league so far this season, scoring five goals and providing three assists in the process.

The attacking midfielder also scored one goal and provided one assist in three Champions League matches, and scored one goal in two Europa League games, according to WhoScored.

Previous interest

This is not the first time that Silva has been linked with a move to Newcastle.

Back in May 2019, the Portugal international’s agent, Antonio Araujo, told Radio Renascenca that the Magpies – then managed by Rafael Benitez – were among the interested clubs (click here to read more).

The Sun (print edition, page 61, August 26, 2018) reported that Middlesbrough tried and failed to sign Silva on loan with an option to buy him for £10 million (click here to read more).

Dwight McNeil advice

Meanwhile, former Burnley defender Kieran Trippier has suggested that Dwight McNeil should not leave Turf Moor in the summer transfer window.

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle are interested in signing the winger from Premier League rivals Burnley this summer.

Trippier told The Burnley Express: “I’d say ‘don’t rush anything, just keep playing’ and Dwight is at the right club to do that.

“He just needs to keep playing games, because that’s the most important thing for somebody his age. He’s got the right manager to guide him and he’ll be in no rush to go anywhere.”