Bournemouth’s agreement for António Silva is now expected to include one unusual condition.
Portuguese newspapers report the transfer is pretty much done. However, António Silva has agreed to stay with Benfica long enough to feature in next week’s Europa League qualifier against St. Gallen. After that, he will complete his switch to the Premier League.
Benfica spent recent days trying to persuade both the player and Bournemouth to postpone the transfer because of their shortage of central defenders for this key match. Looks like they got it now.
Defender accepts Benfica request
According to both Record and Correio da Manhã, António Silva has now agreed to remain with Benfica for the first leg in Switzerland on 23 July.
Despite the obvious injury risk, the 22-year-old has accepted the club’s request. He will continue working under Marco Silva before travelling to England.
Record add that Bournemouth have already reached an agreement with the player. The transfer is considered certain, with Benfica expected to receive around €25m (£21.6m).
A Bola report there are still details to resolve between Benfica, Bournemouth and António Silva. They describe the situation as requiring a “gentleman’s agreement” between all three parties. This is rather than simply an agreement over the transfer fee and the player’s salary.
The newspaper explains Bournemouth could insist on taking the defender immediately to avoid any unnecessary risks. Meanwhile, Benfica’s position is that the deal should only be completed after António Silva has played in Switzerland.
From the player’s perspective, accepting that arrangement would allow him to honour the career he has built at Benfica and leave on good terms with the club that developed him.
A Bola even suggest he could wear the captain’s armband in what may become his farewell appearance.
Benfica criticism grows
The transfer has also prompted criticism of Benfica’s handling of the situation.
Former vice-president Fernando Tavares argued the club reacted too slowly in its attempts to renew António Silva’s contract. He called it “a strategic risk that repeats itself year after year”.
Writing on LinkedIn, he claimed Benfica took “far too long to value the player”, leading to “emotional wear, loss of trust, public pressure and, inevitably, an early departure”.
Tavares also warned the club could face a similar situation with Andreas Schjelderup if contract talks continue to drag on.
Meanwhile, Correio da Manhã report Marco Silva has grown increasingly frustrated by Benfica’s lack of activity in the transfer market before the new season.
According to the newspaper, the manager personally pushed for moves for Ibrahima Ba and João Palhinha. However, Ba is now expected to join Strasbourg and Palhinha attracting competition from Aston Villa and Juventus.
Those setbacks have only increased Benfica’s reliance on António Silva. Clément Lenglet is still settling into the squad. Tomás Araújo is only expected to be ready for the second leg after returning from his post-World Cup break. Enzo Barrenechea and Manu Silva would both have to be used out of position. Also, 17-year-old Gabriel Índio is not yet eligible to play.
That leaves António Silva as the obvious choice to partner Lenglet in Switzerland before his expected move to Bournemouth finally goes through.
Key transfer points
- Bournemouth paying €22m for 22-year-old
- Premier League clubs have been keen for years
- Benfica failed to secure contract renewal
- Transfer delayed until after Europa League qualifier
Xaver Schlager | Nottingham Forest beat Bournemouth to signing
Transfer likely to happen next weekhttps://t.co/z39U6ulP3c #nffc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) July 17, 2026
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