標籤: smoke

fulham Still trying to retain Marco Silva, but the Portuguese press now presents Benfica’s pursuit as the most advanced ever.

across reports from record, morning mail And to ball The picture has become clear this Friday. Silva has not yet given his final answer to Fulham. However, Benfica see him as their chosen target if Jose Mourinho leaves for Real Madrid.

The record goes further than most on that point. They say that Silva already knows that he is the man wanted at the Estadio da Luz. The newspaper says that, even without direct contact between Benfica and the Fulham manager, the Lisbon club believes the situation is under control.

This is partly because both Mourinho and Silva share the same agency link through Jorge Mendes. The record claims that Benfica are controlling the situation mainly through that route.

Fulham awaits final answer

Marco Silva is still focused on Fulham’s final Premier League game against Newcastle United on Sunday.

It is only after that match that he is expected to sit down with Fulham officials and explain his decision. Records show that the London club have offered him a further four years.

This fits in with the Portuguese’s recent line that Fulham are making a big effort to convince him to stay, As we have covered before. A Bola said Silva could respond to the renewal motion by Sunday.

Correio da Manha put Silva’s current salary in London at around €7m (£5.9m) per year. Benfica, meanwhile, are prepared to move up to around €5m (£4.2m), with the possibility of a signing bonus.

So the financial gap is clear. Benfica cannot match Fulham directly. Their hope is to sell Silva a different type of project.

benfica senses opening

Marco Silva has already shown some openness to returning to Portugal. Correio da Manhha quoted him as saying: “I won’t close the door on anything.”

The same outlet now claims Silva has already informed Fulham that he wants another challenge. They also insist that no full deal has yet been reached with Benfica, while reports elsewhere suggest that a deal was close.

Bola is more optimistic about the situation at Benfica. He says that after several weeks of contact, talks with Silva are well advanced and just lack the green light for the decisive phase.

That final step would involve a contract of at least two years.

One also says that Silva feels ready for a new challenge. The newspaper adds that he sees his Fulham cycle, which began in 2021, coming to an end.

Another key detail is from A Bola. Silva’s main concern is not just money. He wants guarantees that Fulham are prepared to make a strong investment in signings to increase the team’s competitive level.

According to the newspaper, this did not happen last season and Silva had complained about it.

A Bola described the situation as one where “white smoke” could arrive at any moment, with Silva’s answer to Fulham and Benfica’s own next move now expected to happen very soon.

mourinho domino still has everything

For Benfica, everything is linked to Mourinho. The Record says Rui Costa wants to resolve Mourinho’s future first. Only then will he take more concrete steps towards Silva.

The same newspaper says that both dossiers are directly linked. Mourinho’s exit from Real Madrid should pave the way for the next step.

There is some disagreement in Portugal over the financial mechanisms involved. Records cite around €7m (£5.9m) as the figure required to activate Mourinho’s exit clause, with the deadline set for Tuesday, May 26.

Meanwhile, A Bola kept the clause at €3m (£2.5m), with Benfica required to make a regulatory disclosure in Portugal before formally moving on to a new manager.

That difference should be noted carefully. What matters to Fulham is the bigger picture: Benfica are preparing, but still waiting.

The record also brings another complication. With Enrique Riquelme entering the Real Madrid election race against Florentino Pérez, the announcement of an official move to Madrid cannot come quickly enough.

However, An Bola says Benfica are still hopeful of movement by Sunday.

Silva’s options

Correio da Manhha also mentions Paulo Fonseca as another name admired by Benfica. Still, that path is difficult as he has a contract with Lyon until 2027 and has recently indicated that he wants to stay.

espn brazil It is also mentioned that Brazilian manager and former left-back Filipe Luís was offered to Benfica, but was rejected because he did not have the ‘playing profile’ that Rui Costa was looking for. He was also linked with Fulham recently.

The next few days look decisive for Fulham. They have offered money, protection and a four-year deal. Benfica is dealing with the situation, the pressure, the return home and the chance to rebuild one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.

Silva now has to decide which challenge matters more.