6 months ago
125 Liverpool are about to embark on a new era as Jurgen Klopp prepares to step down from the Anfield hotseat.
Pep Lijnders has already left Liverpool, while club stalwarts Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara will also be departing Anfield soon.
However, Liverpool and FSG have been quick to make key additions in the boardroom and in the dugout.
Michael Edwards is now FSG’s CEO of Football, Richard Hughes will become Liverpool’s technical director and Arne Slot is set to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager.
When the transfer window opens, we’re likely to see a fair bit of activity at Anfield, and the rumour mill has already gone into overdrive.
Now, a report from Spain has claimed that Slot has told Liverpool to bring one of the world’s best young players to Anfield this summer.
The player in question is Benfica and Portugal defender Antonio Silva, a player who has been linked with the Reds and Manchester United over the past few weeks.
Real Madrid Confidencial have reported that Slot ‘has already got to work’ and has ‘ordered his future bosses to carry out a series of operations to strengthen the squad next season’.
The outlet claims that Silva is one of those players and, despite links with Los Blancos, ‘it seems that he will be finally arriving at Anfield’ this summer.
Who is Liverpool target Antonio Silva?
Silva is a 20-year-old central defender who came through the ranks at Benfica and has become one of their key players.
Despite his young age, Silva already 94 competitive appearances and two major trophies under his belt for Benfica. He has also won nine Portugal caps.
Football Talent Scout has likened the 6ft 2in defender to Manchester City star Ruben Dias and called him a ‘complete and dominant central defender’.
Silva is reported to have an £85million release clause, and as a club that tends to sell its top talents for maximum profit, Benfica probably won’t be too generous over his price.
In addition, with the likes of Man United also reportedly eyeing Silva, any bidding war may well end up pushing the price up to his release clause.
Liverpool have a big job on their hands if they want to sign him, but he certainly does look like a future superstar, and the Reds could do with bolstering their defensive ranks.
